Date: January 21, 2008
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Kaymer claims maiden win

German youngster Martin Kaymer has held his nerve to win his first European Tour title at the Abu Dhabi Championship as Australian Scott Strange finished in a tie for sixth. The 23-year-old had gone close to winning in Wales and Sweden during 2007 when he claimed the Tour&aposs Rookie of the Year award but in the United Arab Emirates Capital he appeared unstoppable during the first three days of this event, compiling a mammoth 17-under score in three rounds and holding a six-stroke lead going into the final day. However, when it came to crossing the line, Kaymer got a case of the jitters early in his fourth round, dropping three strokes in the first four holes and giving the chasing pack of Sweden&aposs Henrik Stenson and Great Britain&aposs Lee Westwood hope of an upset. But, just as Westwood and Stenson appeared to be closing, Kaymer steadied his nerves on the back nine by picking up a birdie at ten, although a bogey at 12 demonstrated he was not out of the woods just yet. Stenson (71) and Westwood (70), though, were also struggling to pick up shots at the National Golf Club, allowing Kaymer to go into the final hole with an almost unassailable three-stroke lead. With the pressure off, he produced a scintillating birdie on 18 to finish the tournament in style, eclipsing Bernhard Langer&aposs record of being the youngest German to win a European Tour title. For the Australian contingent, Scott Strange finished off a consistent tournament in the United Arab Emirates with a two-under 70 that consisted of four birdies and two bogeys, taking him into a tie for sixth position on the leaderboard at nine-under overall. Scott ended the round three strokes ahead of fast-moving compatriot Richard Green, who posted an impressive six-under-66 on Sunday (UAE time) while pre-tournament favourite and World No.8 Adam Scott finished the event a further stroke adrift after posting a two-under 70 on day four.