• European Tour

McDowell and Kaymer share top golfer award

Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer had stellar seasons © Getty Images

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Graeme McDowell and Martin Kaymer have been rewarded for their stunning efforts this year, with the European Tour taking the unprecedented move to name the pair joint winners of their Golfer of the Year award.

McDowell ended Britain's 40-year wait for victory in the US Open and Kaymer showed the strength of European golf when claiming the US PGA Championship.

Kaymer won four tournaments in total in 2010, while McDowell was also a victor at the Wales Open, Valderrama Masters and Chevron World Challenge.

The pair also played their parts in Europe's victory in the Ryder Cup and the European Tour chiefs felt it would be unfair to split them.

Kaymer said: "This has been a truly great year for me and winning this award is the perfect ending. It is recognition for my performances in 2010 and to be voted for by the golfing media, the people who watch and report on our sport throughout the year, makes me feel very proud. I am always trying to follow in Bernhard Langer's footsteps and to see that I have now won an award that he was the first to win back in 1985 is very satisfying indeed.

"Graeme and I had pretty much the same level of success this season in terms of the Majors and on The European Tour and he deserves this recognition as much as I do. His winning match in The Ryder Cup was huge for all of Europe and for both of us to now make history in terms of sharing this award for the first time, represents a very proud moment for both our families and also shows how strong European golf is right now."

McDowell said: "I am truly humbled to accept this coveted award. It is the icing on the cake on what has been a very special year for myself, Martin and everyone involved in European golf. It is an honour to share this award with a player of Martin's calibre. He is one of the best players of our generation and I am sure will enjoy many more successes in the years to come."

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