Martin Kaymer's maiden major win at the 2010 US PGA Championship was not a hard one to forecast. He had been slowly creeping up the leaderboard that year - eighth at the US Open, seventh at the Open Championship - and displaying both flawless technique and a mental resilience that was always set to serve him well at big tournaments.

His triumph at Whistling Straits, which shot him up to fifth in the world, was achieved in a play-off against Bubba Watson after he had clawed back the four-shot deficit he faced at the beginning of the final day.

Although Kaymer fell behind at the first play-off hole, the early setback did not knock him off his rhythm. He took both of the next two holes to become the first German to win a Major since Bernhard Langer lifted the Masters trophy in 1993.

The German's form since then has been conflicting, with a generally successful 2011 moving into a 2012 campaign where an attempt to work a draw into his arsenal - the former Europro Tour player had always played with a fade - seemed to play havoc with his confidence.

He managed to sneak into the Ryder Cup team, however (despite real fears about his form and hopes, in some quarters, that he would slip out of the automatic spots), and that proved to be the setup to perhaps the finest moment of his career.

Used just once on the opening two days, Kaymer found himself in the decisive singles match of a remarkable comeback on Sunday evening. Facing Steve Stricker, in the end Kaymer had a seven-foot putt - about the length compatriot Langer had missed 21 years earlier - to win or lose the competition.

Kaymer holed it.

Career high:
Winning the 2012 Ryder Cup with a nerveless seven-foot putt at the 18th hole to defeat Steve Stricker 1-up.

Career low:
Any one of a series of disappointing performances at The Masters, where he made the cut just once (T-44th) in five attempts.

Quote:
"In the play-off I was very calm and confident," Kaymer said after beating Watson. "I just thought, 'don't make any stupid mistakes'. It was an amazing feeling on 18 with two putts to win - that felt pretty cool. I don't realise what has just happened - I just won my first major and I am just on Tour for four years. I have goosebumps."

Trivia:
Kaymer shot a round of 59 in the second round of the Habsberg Classic in 2006.