Kaymer crowned European number one; Karlsson wins Dubai play-off

Nov 28, 2010, 13:53 GMT

Dubai - Germany's Martin Kaymer Sunday became the European tour's youngest number one for 21 years when he secured top spot in the money list in the final round of the Dubai World Championship.

Sweden's Robert Karlsson clinched the tournament in a play-off with Ian Poulter of England after they had both finished 14 under par on 274.

Karlsson, who was three behind overnight, hit a final round of 67 to tie with overnight leader Poulter (70) and then edged the Englishman on the second hole of the play-off to win the first prize of 910,348 euros (about 1.2 million dollars).

Kaymer, 25, was assured of top spot in the money list after Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland missed out on a top three finish despite a closing 68.

Kaymer finished joint 13th along with McDowell and seven others after a final round of 72, six under for the tournament.

He becomes the youngest player to take the top spot since Ronan Rafferty of Northern Ireland in 1989 and the first German to top the rankings since Bernhard Langer (1981 and 1984).

Topping The Race to Dubai earned Kaymer a bonus of nearly 1.1 million euros from a pool of some 5.46 million euros that rewards the leading 15 money winners.

Earnings from this year's 21 European tournaments have come to almost 3.3 million euros for US PGA champion Kaymer who remains third in the world rankings behind number one Lee Westwood of England and Tiger Woods of United States.

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