No. 2: Martin Kaymer

2011 Golfer Countdown

BORN: Dec. 28, 1984, Dusseldorf, West Germany

FEDEX FINISH: n/a

2010 PGA TOUR EARNINGS: $1,762,793

WORLD GOLF RANKING: 2 (as of Feb. 22, 2011)

GOLF CHANNEL’S BRANDEL CHAMBLEE GIVES HIS TAKE: Martin Kaymer is the player golf was looking for only a year ago — someone in their 20s to step up and win a major and make a run at the No. 1 ranking in the world. Long and straight, with no weaknesses and solid mental strength and poise, Kaymer went from being Europe’s Rookie of the Year to its leading money winner in four seasons. Even as we watch Tiger Woods and Lee Westwood, Martin could emerge as the best player on the planet by the end of 2011.

THE CASE FOR NO. 1: With his win at the HSBC in Abu Dhabi in January, Kaymer surged past Tiger Woods into second place in the World Golf Ranking. The reigning PGA champion, Kaymer won three times in Europe in 2010 to earn his tour’s Race to Dubai money title. In the last year, he’s been the hottest golfer on the planet, with five worldwide wins and top-10 finishes at the U.S. Open and British Open to go with his PGA win. Kaymer matched Westwood’s 2.5 points for Europe at the Ryder Cup.

CAREER PGA TOUR STATS (through Feb. 22, 2011)

• Events — 29
• Cuts — 21
• 1st — 1
• 2nd — 0
• 3rd — 1
• T10 — 5
• T25 — 9