What I'll Remember about 2010: Kaymer's breakthrough

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In just two short years, Germany's Martin Kaymer has won eight times around the globe, including his first major title at the age of 25.

PGATOUR.COM asked its staffers and freelancers what they will remember about the 2010 season. For the archived list of essays, click here.

He was standing on the porch at TPC Sawgrass waiting. For a friend? An agent? A caddie?

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It didn't really matter. He just stood there, a quiet kid that faded into the hustle and bustle of players heading to and from the driving range. Fanny Sunnesson called him over and introduced him to a reporter. "This,'' she grinned, "is Martin."

No last name. Just Martin.

Eight months later, Martin Kaymer doesn't fade into any crowd. And he certainly needs no introduction. The young German has a PGA Championship, three more wins, some pretty good Ryder Cup memories and a huge lead in the Race to Dubai.

And did we mention he's ranked third in the world and had -- and still has -- a chance to be No .1?

If world No. 1 Lee Westwood is the leader of the European short-listers, Kaymer is the face of this incredible group of upstarts. Brilliant. Talented. And -- with the exception of 37-year-old Westwood -- seriously young.

Kaymer won the PGA Championship and the next two events he entered. Ireland's Graeme McDowell won the U.S. Open and two other events to move to ninth in the world, while countryman Rory McIlroy, mop-head and all, is 10th. Englishmen Paul Casey and Luke Donald are solidly in the top 10 at 7th and 8th, which means the Euros have six players in the world top 10.

Add in a Ryder Cup win, Ian Poulter, the fashionable one, at 14th and those irascible Molinari brothers -- Franceco and Edoardo -- at 15th and 17th, respectively and . . . well, Colin Montgomerie called it a global shift. And a changing of the guard.

We won't go that far, but these guys are seriously good.

At the recent World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions, Francesco Molinari held off Westwood for the title. Matched him shot for shot in the final three rounds. The difference? He was one better in the opening round.

Yes, Westwood needed Tiger Woods' fall from grace and dominance to get to No. 1, but even if Tiger would grab it back ... well, let's just say the short-list for 2011's first major will have a distinct European flair.

We've seen dominant players from across the pond for decades -- think Seve Ballesteros, Bernhard Langer, Ian Woosnam and Nick Faldo -- but this group is seriously deep. Add in Sergio Garcia, who's trying to bounce back, Rhys Davies, Ross Fisher and Matteo Manaserro and . . . they just keep coming.

Not too long ago, Westwood had all but fallen off the face of the earth -- golfwise -- when he and wife Laurae decided to start a family. He went from fourth in the world to out of the top 250. Then he came roaring back, making his way up the list with top 3s in the majors.

An inspiration? His mates in Europe think so. A leader? Absolutely. Just look at the Ryder Cup.

But a true global shift?

Give it time. For the moment, we'll look at it as one heck of a major global battle. And, of course, the now constant battle for world No. 1.

No introductions needed.