USPGA Championship flashback: Kaymer 2010

Golf Monthly takes a look back at the story of the 2010 USPGA Championship won by Martin Kaymer

Matin Kaymer

The US PGA Championship at Whistling Straits in 2010 certainly wasn't short of drama and controversy.

The final day saw a number of players slugging it out for the title down the back nine. Early favourite Nick Watney blew his chances early on making double bogey at the 1st and would go on to shoot a 9-over-par 81.

Rory McIlroy was another who put himself in contention for the Wanamaker Trophy but would finish tied for third with Zach Johnson.

Germany's Martin Kaymer was crowned champion. Defeating American Bubba Watson in a three-hole play-off, he became only the second German to lift a Major trophy after Bernhard Langer.

It initially looked as though a three-way playoff was on the cards after Dustin Johnson missed a seven-foot putt for what everyone believed was for victory on the 18th green.

On review he had grounded his club when playing his second from a small patch of sand. Officials had stated earlier in the week that all sand was to be treated as a bunker and Johnson was penalised two strokes, missing the play-off and finishing tied for fifth.

And so Kaymer and Watson headed into a play-off. At the first play-off hole Watson made birdie while Kaymer could only manage a par. Kaymer struck back at the par-3 17th making birdie while Watson made par.

Going down the 18th and final play-off hole the pair were level. The big-hitting American went for the long par 4 in two and came up short in a creek bed. Kaymer took a more conservative route and laid-up with his second before hitting his approach to 12 feet.

With Watson forced into taking a drop from the hazard, his fourth shot flew over the back of the green. Needing to hole his chip to prevent Kaymer having two putts for victory he didn't manage it and made double bogey.

The German went on to make a bogey five to win his first Major at the age of 25.

The leading website from the world’s oldest golf magazine, we’re the go-to destination for amateur and keen golfers alike who are keen to up their golfing game. As well as expert course reviews, news and tips to improve your handicap our golf-focused travel content will help you pair teeing off with your travels in some of the best destinations around the globe.