MARANA, Ariz. (AP) — Martin Kaymer is the new No. 1 in golf, this time without much debate.
Kaymer reached the Match Play Championship final on Saturday to assure he will be No. 1 in the next world ranking. The 26-year-old German becomes the second-youngest player at No. 1 since the ranking began in 1986.
Tiger Woods was 21 when he became No. 1 in 1997.
It ends the 17-week reign of Lee Westwood, who had only three victories on his world ranking ledger when he became No. 1.
Kaymer has won seven times in the last two years, including his first major at the PGA Championship in August, when he beat Bubba Watson in a three-hole playoff.
Watson was his victim again Saturday at Dove Mountain, where Kaymer beat him in 18 holes. The “Germanator” will face Luke Donald of England in the 18-hole final Sunday.
