Martin Kaymer misses BMW International Open cut in Cologne
US OPEN champion Martin Kaymer ended a near two-year unbroken European run in easily missing the cut an the BMW International Open in Cologne.
Kaymer, who grew-up within a 20-minute drive of the course, continued to struggle on the Gut Larcenhof course greens needing 35 putts in a second-round 73 for a level par tally.
It left the German, who last missed a Tour halfway cut in the 2012 Portuguese Masters, trailing a dozen shots behind the leading foursome of Sheffield's Danny Willett (68), Argentina's Emiliano Grillo (66) and the Spanish pair of Pablo Larrazabal (63) and Rafa Cabrera-Bello (68) who enjoy a two-shot lead at 12-under par.
"I know the fans are very disappointed because their expectations are high but then mine were not very high as I like golf courses where have to scramble and where one or two under par each day is a good score," said Kaymer.
"So while this golf course is not my favourite I still came here and tried my hardest.
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"And even though some people might draw negatives out of this week I am happy with my game as I have two very big tournaments in recent weeks so I am not going to dwell on negatives.
"You have to just appreciate in golf you lose more than you win."
Willett, still coping with the ill-effects of a neck injury, continues to impress on the course where he captured a maiden Tour title two years ago.
"I said to my caddy that I forgot to take my pills after nine holes as I could feel my neck over the last couple," he added. "The only thing I could do was just laugh it off."