Hot Kaymer soaks up tributes from Els, Faldo, Norman

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

TURNBERRY, Scotland (Reuters) - Germany's Martin Kaymer, the hottest player in the field for this week's British Open, has reveled in the acclaim he has received from his peers over the last three days.

Fresh from back-to-back victories at the French and Scottish opens, Kaymer has soaked up tributes from former major winners Ernie Els, Nick Faldo and Greg Norman.

"It's nice to go to tournaments and have big names coming up to you," the world number 11 told reporters on Wednesday.

"Ernie Els came up to me in the locker room and said: 'Well done the last couple of weeks, it's awesome.' Nick Faldo came up to me, and also Greg Norman. It's been fun."

Praise from three-times major champion Els was especially meaningful for Kaymer, who has long idolized the smooth-swinging South African.

"He is just the full package, a great player," said Kaymer, who won the Scottish Open by two shots at Loch Lomond on Sunday to claim his fourth European Tour title. "Such a nice guy with a great swing.

"I didn't know him when I came out on Tour but I've had the honor to play with him a few times and I had the possibility to meet him as a person. He's just a very nice human being."

RED-HOT RUN

Although physically tired after his red-hot run, Kaymer believes he is mentally fresh for the challenge of Turnberry.

"The last two weeks were really very difficult for me because I was always in contention," the 24-year-old said. "Then finally I could win those tournaments, which took a lot of energy.

"That's why I'm trying to sleep a lot, to get the energy back. But the mental part is no worry for me."

Asked for the secret to his title successes, Kaymer replied: "The most important (thing) to win tournaments is to be calm and focusing on what it is you really want to do.

"You shouldn't really think about speeches or how people can react to you if you win, what's going on after the tournament. You have to always stay in the present, and I think I can handle it very well."

Kaymer has been grouped with Els and U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover of the U.S. for the first two rounds at Turnberry on Thursday and Friday.

(Editing by Tony Jimenez)