Martin Kaymer made the European Ryder Cup team on Sunday by the skin of his teeth after the Johnnie Walker Championship at Gleneagles.
Speculation began immediately, however, as to Kaymer's status for Medinah.
The German didn't play in the final qualifying event, well aware eventual captain's pick Nicolas Colsaerts could pass him with a T-2 finish in Scotland. Colsaerts didn't produce, however, and Kaymer was safe.
The questions surfaced: Would he play? Would he abdicate his spot in light of his poor play, including zero top-10s since April?
Kaymer's agent had put such talk of pulling a Sandy Lyle to bed early in the week, but the former world No. 1 reiterated Sunday night he will play in the Ryder Cup.
“I am obviously very happy to be on the team," Kaymer said in a statement. "A little relieved, yes, but overall it is just a great feeling. … I really feel inspired to get my game ready and to work as hard as I have to to be ready.”
After picking Colsaerts and Ian Poulter on Monday, captain Jose Maria Olazabal acknowledged Kaymer had already reached out to him.
“I talked to Martin yesterday, had a little chat on the phone, and he’s been working really hard the past two weeks after the PGA and is really happy with the results that he’s seeing,” Olazabal said.
“Don’t get it wrong – he wants to be a part of that team and is determined to give it his best. He made that point very clear to me yesterday, and I don’t think I’ll have any issues with Martin.”
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