Medinah miracle man Kaymer happy to let others lead

Germany's Martin Kaymer gets more attention for his tense six-foot putt to complete Europe's astonishing 2012 Ryder Cup fightback victory than for any tournament he has ever won. The 31-year-old captain's choice pondered his place in Cup lore Thursday, the eve of the 41st Ryder Cup at Hazeltine, where Europe seeks an unprecedented fourth win in a row over the United States. "People definitely recognize my career more because of the Ryder Cup putt than any other tournament I ever won in my career," said Kaymer, a two-time major champion. "There's nothing bigger. The majors, it's kind of like a 'selfish' win. But the Ryder Cup putt includes hundreds of people. It's almost like in football, where for some people it's like a religion. "I was very glad I got that gift to make something amazing happen. There's nothing to compare it with." Kaymer, who won the 2010 PGA Championship and 2014 US Open, would be seen as a likely leader after helping the past three Europe wins, but he prefers a quieter role that lets him focus on results. "I don't see myself as somebody who has to be a leader just because it's my fourth time," Kaymer said. "Every player has their roles in the team, and I think you always have to respect where everybody is and let them do what they do best. That's why the team is so strong because everybody knows what they have to do." That's a tricky thing with six Ryder Cup newcomers on the European roster, but Kaymer said bonds have formed as rookies have played alongside and against veterans in practice this week. "It's a very calm atmosphere in our team room. We just get along very well and we care," Kaymer said. "If you care for each other and take your ego out, and just play for the other 11 men, it makes you very proud and therefore there's such a good energy and a lot of strength." - 'Way too serious' - Kaymer recalled England's Lee Westwood, his first pairs partner from 2010 and another pick by captain Darren Clarke -- making his 10th Cup appearance -- as being key to his Cup debut. "He helped me a lot, especially on that Friday morning when we played," he said. "He brings a lot of calmness and peace into the team room, but also a lot of strength. I think that mix is very rare." Kaymer has learned that he doesn't have to duplicate the heroic highlights he had seen on television when grinding through a match and has tried to pass along the lesson. "I thought the entire week I need to make something special happen, hit special or amazing golf shots, because the only thing you see when you watch the Ryder Cup, you see the highlights and you only see great shots," Kaymer said. "So you think you need to do that, too. So I was not free enough to really play." Now he knows better. "I hope the rookies somehow try to find a way to calm down and enjoy what they do," Kaymer said. "It's way too serious sometimes. I really hope the rookies can enjoy the amazing life experience that they are going to have."