Kaymer passes Tiger with Abu Dhabi win
Martin Kaymer won the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship on Sunday by eight shots.
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ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP)
Martin Kaymer shot a 6-under par 66 on Sunday to win the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship by eight shots and climb above Tiger Woods as No. 2 in the world rankings.
Kaymer held a five-shot lead going into the day and had no problem securing his third win in four years in Abu Dhabi, finishing with a 24-under total of 264. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland finished second after a final-round 69, while Retief Goosen and Graeme McDowell were another two shots back in third.
It was the biggest winning margin and lowest total score in the history of the tournament.
The victory will lift Kaymer from third to second in the world rankings, above Woods but still below Lee Westwood.
''It's quite nice to overtake somebody who is probably the best player in the world, perhaps the best player that ever lived,'' Kaymer said about Woods. ''To be in front of him for a little bit - we'll see how long it takes him to overtake me again - but you know, it makes me very proud to be better in the world rankings than the best player in the world.''
It was Kaymer's 100th start on the European Tour, and the ninth win of his career.
Goosen had the best round of the day with a 64, while McDowell closed with a 67. Phil Mickelson only finished 37th, meaning McDowell will move ahead of the reigning Masters champion at No. 4 in the rankings. Both started the week tied for fourth place.
Kaymer started his round with birdies on the second and third holes, and had extended his lead over McIlroy to seven shots by the turn.
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McIlroy said he quickly gave up thoughts of challenging Kaymer, and played most of the round trying to stave off those chasing behind.
''After the first couple of holes today, I was just trying to consolidate second place, that's all you're really playing for,'' McIlroy said. ''Martin played great all week and I don't think there was anyone in the world who could have topped him this week.''
Mickelson closed with a 70, and said he wasn't bothered by slipping to No. 5 in the rankings.
''I think it's interesting and it's certainly a goal of all players to get up on top of the world rankings but I think it's more interesting to see how it plays out in the majors,'' he said. ''I'm not as concerned with the rankings as some. ... I'm more concerned with getting my game ready for the Majors.''
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