Ewen Murray reflects on the rise of Martin Kaymer and the fall of Europe's Ryder Cup talismen.
Murray fears for the form of Monty, Harrington and Poulter
Germany has a new Kaiser in the shape of 23-year-old Martin Kaymer.
This talented youngster from Dusseldorf has come of age this year and his latest success in the BMW in Munich confirms the rich promise he has shown in the last couple of seasons.
His rise to the fringes of Nick Faldo's side for September has been impressive and the glowing praise he received from playing partner last week, Bernhard Langer, will give him a huge boost in confidence.
Langer dishes out praise frugally. When he compared him to the likes of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, he was saying Kaymer has the talent and the mental strength to cope with the rigors of a long tournament professional career.
Bernhard went on to say that Martin's wedge play must improve if he is to take the next step up the golfing ladder. The two time Masters champion is correct. Kaymer's short iron swing is too steep and that makes control of trajectory and spin difficult.
Martin took this constructive criticism on board and with his work ethic being akin to that of Langer's, he will improve this department of his game considerably in the months ahead.
With a decent summer, Kaymer will cement his Ryder Cup berth and that will please Nick Faldo. Nick has always encouraged young players, mainly through his Faldo Junior Series, and the inclusion of Nick Dougherty at Valhalla would give our captain further joy. Dougherty has had a tough season, but he is tough, and I would expect a good couple of months from him.
Experience
On the more experienced front, the form of Colin Montgomerie continues to be below his best. Monty has given himself a run of eight tournaments in nine weeks and having played the major part of that, there is no old spark from the eight time European number one.
Having turned 45 earlier this week, time is running out for Colin, and, as we know, all good things come to an end sometime. However, the Scot has been written off before and each time has come back and surprised many.
The next four weeks for Colin is the most important spell of his season. If there is no significant improvement, I think he can forget Louisville, and Europe will have to look for a new talisman.
Colin is not alone. The same can be said of Darren Clarke, Padraig Harrington, yes our Open Champion, and Ian Poulter. Luke Donald has pulled out of this week's French Open with the wrist injury that curtailed his US Open and any injury is always worrying.
Ian cut a sad figure in San Diego. He looked like a boy lost. It's time for him to forget the PGA Tour, return home and rebuild his confidence. I have no wish to criticise a player for believing, at his best, he is second to Tiger. Lofty goals can be a positive. "Poults" needs to get back to basics and work rather than talk. He is a fine player, flamboyant, good for the sport as well as an all round decent chap. A good showing in Versailles this week will set him back on track.
Padraig Harrington has the golfing world at his feet, yet continues to be over analytical. He always talks about focus, which of course is important in any sport, but Padaraig should be playing on confidence and enjoying his well earned status in the game instead of being so meticulous. He is a beautiful golfer with no technical weakness and he has a sound temperament. It is that combination that gave him the title, major champion.
Darren Clarke returns to action at the French National after a two week break with his sons, Tyrone and Conor. It's been a nearly season for the Ulsterman with one win and three other top four finishes. Some would be pleased with that, but in his world, it's below expectation.
Had Darren shot 65 in the last rounds of his tournaments this year, he would have six wins by now. The important statistic is that he has not managed that and like the others, these next four weeks in France, London, Loch Lomond and Royal Birkdale, for which he has yet to qualify, will fashion his year and ambitions.
With the talents of these experienced and exceptional players, one event can change everything and Faldo would want all of them in form and in his team at Kentucky. Come the time the last putt is sunk at our Open, the picture will become clearer.
French fancy
The French Open is one of our older events on the European Tour and in recent years it has become a popular week for the players.
Much of that is down to the quality of the golf course. Situated 20 miles south west of Paris, Le Golf National was designed by one of the world's best architects. Robert Von Hagge, based in Houston, Texas, took a poor piece of land, (it was a rubbish tip), and produced a superb lay out.
Even though it is a long way from the coast, the course has a links feel to it and it boasts arguably the hardest closing four holes on tour. Von Hagge was the genius behind Les Bordes in the Loire Valley, a course I believe to be the finest, toughest and most demanding in Europe. It is a masterpiece and our venue this week is not far behind it.
Lee Westwood, Miguel Angel Jimenez and Robert Karlsson return to action after their heroics Stateside and one would not be surprised if the winner came from that talented trio. Jimenez played last week when perhaps he should have rested, but missing the cut in Germany may prove to be a blessing.
This is a ball-sticker's paradise and with so much water lurking over the finishing stretch, no lead is a comfortable one. Graeme Storm defends, and if you are looking for an outside bet, try winner two years ago, John Bickerton who finished third last week in Munich. There is a connection there. John holds the course record of 70...... at Les Bordes..
One player I shall be looking for is Daniel Brookes, a Euro Pro tour player who came through the qualifying last week in Chantilly. My thanks to reader Mike Crouse for that information and I'm sure Sky Sports will be on at Mill Hill golf Club when the action begins on Thursday.
Before I finish, another reader Terrence Woodhouse was asking about whether Jack Nicklaus had more than 18 majors. Terrence, he won two amateur championships before he went on to winning 18 professional majors. Jack always thought they should count and the total should be 20.
Mind you, if that was the case, Tiger would be only three majors behind Jack now, because he won three amateur championships. Best leave it the way it is, and for the record, it's Jack 18, Tiger 14.
