Martin Kaymer has split with caddie Craig Connelly ahead of the World Match Play Championship in Spain.
Brother will carry bag for World number three at Finca Cortesin
Martin Kaymer and his Scottish caddie Craig Connelly have parted company less than three months after he became world number one.
The 26-year-old German, who won the first major title of his career at the US PGA Championship last August, announced on Tuesday that the pair had brought their relationship to an end.
Kaymer revealed that his brother Philip will carry his bag in the World Match Play Championship in Spain starting on Thursday.
"For me it was just time to change and move on," he said. "We've talked about it a few times already.
"But on Sunday we had a little chat and just decided to go our separate ways."
The move comes as something of a surprise given the success 26-year-old has enjoyed in recent months.
Fantastic
Following his US triumph he won his next two tournaments, was part of Europe's Ryder Cup winning team and led the European Tour in November with almost £3.9million.
And In February he reached the final of the WGC-Accenture Match Play in Arizona to knock Lee Westwood off the world number one spot.
He has since slipped to third behind Westwood and Luke Donald after he missed the cut in The Masters for the fourth year running.
"Obviously Craig and me, we had a fantastic year together," he continued. "He's a very good caddie.
"I just felt like I needed a change. It has nothing really to do with Craig - he's a fantastic guy and he's been a good caddie for me."
Kaymer, who will not be short of people wanting to step into Connelly's shoes, said he was unsure when a full time replacement would be appointed.
Fun
But for now he will be accompanied by his brother, a law student in Cologne who worked as Kaymer's caddie in his rookie season.
"I haven't had any calls yet (from other caddies) - I think nobody knows," Kaymer continued. "But obviously now some people will know."
"I'll just try to have some fun with him this week and we'll see what happens at Wentworth if I find somebody.
"If not, I'm sure I will find somebody for the US Open."
This week's event at Finca Cortesin in Andalucia is second only to The Open in Europe this year with a first prize of almost £700,000.
Five of the world's top six are in the 24-man field there and enough points on offer to take Kaymer or Donald past Westwood into the number one spot.
