Martin Kaymer sings praises of 'fun' and 'authentic' Bob MacIntyre

Two-time major winner Martin Kaymer has urged Bob MacIntyre to “focus on the big picture” as the young Scot bids to back up his recent eye-catching efforts in the US.

Martin Kaymer pictured with Irene Scholz during a practice round for the Austrian Golf Open at Diamond Country Club in Atzenbrugg. Picture: Andrew Redington/Getty Images.

Kaymer spoke in glowing terms about MacIntyre as the German prepared to headline the field in this week’s Austrian Open at Diamond Country Club in Atzenbrugg, near Vienna.

“(Robert MacIntyre) has done a very good job playing-wise, but he’s a very nice person,” said Kaymer, who won the 2010 US PGA Championship before adding the US Open four years later.

“He’s nice to be around, he’s a fun guy who is very authentic, he seems like he’s enjoying the game and the whole process.”

Since breaking into the world’s top 50 for the first time earlier this year, MacIntyre has topped a group that contained world No 1 Dustin Johnson in the WGC Match Play before tying for 12th on his Masters debut.

“If you ask me about advice for him, he should focus more on the big picture for the next five-eight years,” added Kaymer. “He’s 24-years-old now, his prime will probably come when he’s 30.

“He should collect the experience of playing the big events in America and Europe and trying to make a big move with his game.

“Whatever that move might be – if he needs to change his body, hit the ball longer, or short game, or whatever – focus on one thing to make a big change in golf to really progress.”

Kaymer, who is braced for a cold week in Austria, has not given up hope of making this year’s Ryder Cup team despite sitting 99th in the world rankings.

“I haven’t ticked (the Ryder Cup) off at all,” said the man who holed the winning putt at Medinah in 2012. “It’s always there, that belief. I think I need a hot summer, a couple of wins maybe. I think if I come in three or four weeks before, if my form is really good, maybe it’s enough.

“Or [Padraig] Harrington might want me on the team, who knows? But I'll never give up on that goal. Form is very important when you get into the Ryder Cup.

“You don’t always have to play great golf in advance in order to make the team. If you’re a hot player, two or three months before, you might stand a chance to be on the team.

“I still haven’t given up on the Ryder Cup. It was a real pain not to be part of the team in France. I know I’m quite far away right now but I feel like I’m doing a lot of things right at the moment to have a good summer.

“I’m not really thinking I need to change much and I think Lee Westwood proved it pretty well over the last four or five weeks. I need to focus a little more on my strengths and believe in my strengths.

“If I could get a couple of big results, that would make a big difference for me.”

While defending champion Marc Warren is an absentee due to a back problem, David Law, Scott Jamieson, David Drysdale, Grant Forrest, Ewen Ferguson, Liam Johnston Daniel Young, Craig Howie and Euan Walker are flying the Saltire in the Austrian event.