Defending Champion Martin Kaymer of Germany holds his trophy after receiving it from Sheikh Hazza Bin Zayed Al Nahyan (L), Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, following his win at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, in the Abu Dhabi Golf Club January 23, 2011. REUTERS

BU DHABI, United Arab Emirates - German golf star Martin Kaymer won the $2.7 million Abu Dhabi Golf Championship for an unprecedented third time on Sunday charging away to win by eight shots.

The 26-year-old US PGA Championship titleholder shot a bogey-free round of six-under par 66 for a 24-under-par 264 total, recording only one bogey on his third hole on the opening day.

Kaymer not only won $450,000, but more importantly, it also took him to second in the world rankings behind England's Lee Westwood, relegating Tiger Woods to third.

The new rankings, due to be released on Monday, will see Europe holding the top two placings for the first time since Nick Faldo and Bernhard Langer were 1-2 in 1993.

Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy, who started the day five shots behind Kaymer, fell further back despite shooting a three-under par 69, but his 16-under-par 272 total was two shots better than Retief Goosen of South Africa and another Ulsterman, Graeme McDowell, who were tied third at 274.

Goosen shot the day's best round of 64, while US Open champion McDowell closed with a 67.

McDowell's finish ensured he will now move ahead of American Phil Mickelson as the new world No 4. Both players were tied for fourth place this week.

Defending Champion Martin Kaymer of Germany hits from a bunker on the 16th green during the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club January 23, 2011. REUTERS

Kaymer said the key to his final round was not to get complacent because of the lead and his determination not to make any bogey.

Kaymer said he was honored to have replaced Woods as No 2 in the world rankings.

"It's quite nice to overtake somebody who is probably the best player in the world, perhaps the best player that ever lived.

"To be in front of him for a little bit - we'll see how long it takes him to overtake me again - it makes me very proud to be better in the world rankings than the best player in the world."

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 01/25/2011 page23)