Martin Kaymer returns early to money list fray

Martin Kaymer has missed playing golf so much he will make an early comeback following the foot injury that has sidelined him for nine weeks
 
The 24-year-old German broke his toes in a karting accident in the U.S. after a sixth place in August's PGA Championship had taken him top of Europe's Race to Dubai money list.

"I've come back earlier than I should but that's not because of the money list situation, only because I miss the game so much," Kaymer told Reuters on Wednesday at the Mediterraneo club where he will play in this week's Castello Masters.

"I just couldn't wait to get back. The doctor has given me the okay to play so it's just nice to be back out here."</p>

Kaymer does need to make up lost ground, though. He holds third place on the money list, 259,885 euros behind number one Lee Westwood of Britain.

Having established himself as one of the favourites for this year's money list with back-to-back wins in the French and Scottish Opens, Kaymer feels he is by no means out of the race.

"Every week I've been away, everyone got a little closer to me, but not as close as I expected," he said.

"Then it was a little unlucky for me Westwood won last week, as he's now more than 250,000 euros ahead. But that's fine, as I am playing this week and he isn't.

"Then there's the World Match-Play Championship next week, then the WGC in Shanghai and then Dubai, so I still have a very good chance of becoming number one."

Kaymer played 36 holes on Tuesday and Wednesday at Castellon but occasionally walked with a slight limp and had his shoelaces undone when he putted.

"I can hit full drives and irons without being scared of anything," he said. "It's just when I walk it's uncomfortable. That's because I've been favouring my left heel since I started walking again."