"You will see me at the BMW International Open."

Let's start with this positive news: although Kaymer plans to play an increasing number of tournaments in the USA next season, one date on the 2011 European Tour is already set in stone in his calendar – Germany's only professional tournament. "You will see me at the BMW International Open," promised the man from the Rhineland area of Germany.

Kaymer had brought a special guest with him to today's press conference: the Wanamaker Trophy, which he was the first German ever to win. "I always dreamed of winning a Major. The fact that I have managed it at such a young age is a big milestone in my career," he said. In the crucial phase of the US PGA Championship, which reached its climax in the three-hole play-off against Bubba Watson (USA), the key to his success was the ability to stay calm.

"I stayed calm throughout the entire tournament. You have to pick up pars, avoid bogeys and take your chances on a difficult course like that. When I say my name at the top of the leaderboard on the sixth hole on the final day, I had already achieved something new for me: I was leading a Major." Kaymer dealt with this situation with a mixture of ambition, focus and calm. "I knew then that I had to at least make it into a play-off. Once you have been leading, anything else is a failure."

In the play-off the world number five found himself up against a man renowned for his long hitting – but he was well prepared. "I knew that Bubba would probably start with a birdie, so I had to play well on the difficult holes, the 17th and 18th. That is precisely what I did."

Now he has the Major victory in the bag, what next? One thing was very clear today: Kaymer is hungry for more. "As happy as I am with this triumph, I am far from content," said the winner of the 2008 BMW International Open. "This year I have the chance to win the Race to Dubai, and I would like to win more Majors. Two years ago it was a different story. After this win, however, I now know that I can beat the best. Wherever I play, I want to win."

It goes without saying that this philosophy also applies to the Ryder Cup in October, for which he has qualified for the first time. Booking his ticket to Wales was the main objective for this season. "That has been my goal since I was a guest at the competition two years ago. That was my motivation to practice more and work even harder. I can hardly wait for the Ryder Cup. It doesn't get any better than that."

Kaymer is also expected to play a major role in the prestigious inter-continental showdown. It will be interesting to see with whom captain Colin Montgomerie sends the German into battle in the foursomes. And if Kaymer had his way? "It goes without saying that I will play with anyone, but I could imagine playing with Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy or Luke Donald."