Martin Kaymer wins the battle with Karlsson leading the war

Martin Kaymer up for the challenge: It’s great to have some of the worlds top golfers back in the UAE. The DWC adds another eagerly awaited event on the golfing desert swing calendar, albeit a little earlier than the true swing.

In any world class professional sport, you cannot ask for more from the end of a long, globe trotting season, which the European Tour Race to Dubai is. So the scene was set, another finish to the death promised in the second Dubai World Championship.

It promised to be a showdown between Kaymer (who is the money listings leader) and the in-form Mcdowell. Even on the first day, Kaymer proved what the feeling was, that the Earth Course favored the longer hitter.
Mcdowell stated in the press conference yesterday that he’s managed to lengthen his drive by adding an inch on his driver since Pebble Beach, but the German seems to have started the grind already.

On the par 4 third hole, Kaymer chipped in on his second shot for an Eagle to put his nose in front, but then dropped a shot on the next hole. Mcdowell could only keep to par. Mcdowell could not seem to fire up his putter and was 3 down after the turn. Kaymer then birdied the 10 & 11 holes, Mcdowell dropped shots on 11 and 12 to find himself 5 down. It looked bleak at that point, Kaymer never picked up anymore shots though and Mcdowell showed a little fight to Birdie the 13th and 15th to shoot a Par round.

PHOTO: Waiting on 10th for the final pairing

Karlsson, who’s the overall leader after day 1, had an exceptional round of -7 and only dropped a shot at the last hole. The swede also seemed very at ease with his game after not playing at the tournament last year.

We also had a Hole in One thrown in from Schwartzel on the par 3 6th, which was a welcome surprise and a great shot.

Other Leaders

The other early leader was Noh who finished on an impressive -6, partnered with Jaidee who shot -4, maybe they inspired each other as they were the top scoring pair of the field.
There are still 3 rounds to go here at the Earth and Mcdowell is no way out of it, but he needs to have an immediate impact tomorrow on the 5 shot Kaymer lead to rattle the in-control and assured German. Kaymer looked very happy, confident and focused in the after round press conference.
Looking forward to the next days play here, the only Golfing place to be on Earth.

NOTE: Some news to cap off an interesting first day at the DWC.
The iconic Nad al Sheba Golf Course in Dubai,(which closed a few years back) is going to be re-opened and called the Track Meydan, more coming soon…