Rolex Series

Perspective powering Garcia and Kaymer in Dubai

Sergio Garcia and Martin Kaymer have seen most things on the European Tour but the superstar duo are both hunting firsts at this week's 2021 DP World Tour Championship, Dubai.

Martin Kaymer

Kaymer is a former World and European Tour Number One with two Major Championships in his trophy cabinet, while Garcia has a Major of his own and is the highest points scorer in Ryder Cup history.

But they are both looking for a first Rolex Series win and maiden triumph in the European Tour's season ending event.

Rounds of 68 left the duo locked together at four under after day one at Jumeirah Golf Estates and both were in philosophical mood after their opening efforts over the Earth Course.

Garcia has five top tens in nine appearances at this event and, while he admits fatherhood has changed his priorities in recent years, he admits lifting the trophy is still one of his big aims.

Sergio Garcia

"It would be nice," he said. "I've been close to winning here a couple of times. It would be nice to do it, obviously."

On fatherhood, the Spaniard added: "I think you're not the centre of attention anymore.

"Obviously your focus, it's somewhere else and making sure that they are safe, making sure that they grow up being good kids and polite and everything and obviously my wife, Angela, does a great job at that. I try to do my best, too.

"It definitely puts things a little bit into perspective and it's fun. It's a new chapter of life and my life in this case, and it's hard work, but we enjoy it."

Kaymer is set to soon become a father himself and he believes his life on the course is also trending in the right direction as he looks for a first victory since 2014.

Life is super nice at the moment. Obviously a lot happening in my private life and also playing good golf

"I think the expectation is for yourself," said the German. "It's not too much the expectations from the media or the fans. It's more from myself. I expect so much from myself and I know that I can play really, really good golf.

"I don't think there's much missing in my overall game. It's just putting it together and I know I've done it many times before and as an athlete you are expected almost to have that every week.

"Obviously we can't have it but life is super nice at the moment. Obviously a lot happening in my private life and also playing good golf but, again, I think the expectations have been super high when you have the career that I've had until now.

"Sometimes you think, how can I not win more golf tournaments the way I play golf? But this is the sport. And patience has always been a big factor and I'm still learning, that is the beauty about this sport, you always do."

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