Martin Kaymer reveals what he did two weeks after 2012 Ryder Cup which made him even more nervous

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Martin Kaymer has shared what he did two weeks after the Miracle at Medinah that actually made him more nervous than he had been over the putt to retain the Ryder Cup for Europe 12 years ago.

Martin Kaymer holed one of the most famous putts in Ryder Cup history back in 2012. It fell to the German to secure the point which ensured that Jose Maria Olazabal’s men came from 10-6 heading into Sunday to retain the trophy in remarkable fashion.

For the first three sessions in Illinois, Europe had been completely blown away by the Americans. At one stage, the scoreline read 10-4 to Davis Love III’s side. Of course, the likes of Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, Rory McIlroy and particularly Ian Poulter handed the visitors a lifeline late on Saturday. But the prospects still seemed bleak.

Europe then won the top five matches on singles Sunday, while Garcia and Lee Westwood slightly further down the order also clinched their points. That meant that Kaymer had two putts on the final green in his match with Steve Stricker to retain the trophy.

Martin Kaymer shares what made him more nervous than putt to retain 2012 Ryder Cup

His first attempt ran some six feet by the hole to ensure that the unbearable tension was going nowhere, but Kaymer made no mistake, almost starting his celebration before the ball had hit the bottom of the cup.

You would think that that moment would be the most terrifying for someone who would have dreamed of having that moment in their career, particularly when you consider what happened to Bernhard Langer at Kiawah Island in 1991.

But, speaking on Fairway to Heaven, Kaymer admitted that it was actually worse to watch the final day back a short time later – even with knowing the result.

“Two weeks after it happened, I watched the whole Medinah thing, and the funny thing is I was more nervous two weeks later watching it than actually being in that position, because for the first time you see how I got to that position, how it all happened,” he said.

“You see Sergio making his long putts, Justin Rose made that, I don’t know, 40, 50 foot putt on 17 against Phil, and you realise wow, that happened before my thing happened, so it was nervous to watch the other guys play because when you are in charge of what you do, this is probably the easiest way. Watching is worse.”

Still difficult to comprehend what happened on Sunday at Medinah

So many things appeared to fall into place for the Europeans on the final day, from Webb Simpson hitting a shank in his match with Ian Poulter, to Rory McIlroy just about turning up in time for his match with Keegan Bradley, and Paul Lawrie chipping in from the back of the green against Brandt Snedeker.

The putts Justin Rose holed on the final two holes in his epic encounter with Phil Mickelson were stunning, and Kaymer could have easily crumbled under the pressure on the last.

There have arguably been few better comebacks in a single sporting event, and Kaymer will always be remembered as the one who ensured that it was mission impossible accomplished.