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Martin Kaymer wins Rookie of the Year

Martin Kaymer has become the first German to win Europe's rookie of the year award.

The 22-year-old from Duesseldorf was the choice of a selection panel comprising the European Tour, the Royal & Ancient Golf Club and the Association of Golf Writers after recording five top-10 finishes in his debut season.

"To be the first winner from my country is a very special honour," Kaymer said in a news release. "When I look at the list of previous winners, people like Nick Faldo, Sandy Lyle and Colin Montgomerie, that makes it even more spectacular.

"At the beginning of the season I didn't really feel comfortable on the European Tour because I didn't know anyone and there were just a few Germans who I played with in practice. But now I know a lot of people."

Kaymer ended his season by finishing sixth at last week's Volvo Masters in Spain.

A five-under-par 66 in the third round, the lowest score of the week, helped lift him to 41st on the order of merit with earnings of 754,691 euros ($1.11 million).

November 8, 2007