Porsche European Open: Key Takeaways From Day Three

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Kaymer and Pieters prepare for Ryder Cup

Traveling from one hemisphere to the other in back-to-back weeks is often not ideal for a professional golfer. Such is the case for Martin Kaymer and Thomas Pieters, the lone European Ryder Cup team members in the Porsche European Open field. Much is made of the Americans’ need to adjust to time zone changes, particularly at The Open Championship, though it’s usually not seen as a big concern for Europeans more adjusted to a globetrotting schedule.

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Nonetheless, Kaymer will be in his third straight week of competition next week and has not had a smooth go of it in the past two weeks, playing through numerous weather delays.

“It’s a very bad feeling to have such long days, coming from Italy were we were playing from early morning to late at night and now it’s the same again,” Kaymer is quoted in a Daily Mail article. “It’s not perfect preparation for the Ryder Cup.”

Kaymer had two weeks off prior to the Italian Open and has shown strong form, tying for 20th in Italy and sitting in a tie for fourth at the Porsche European Open entering Sunday. It’s hard to fault him for playing in his home tournament, but fatigue could be a contributing factor if the two-time major champion struggles next week at Hazeltine.

Pieters is also pretty fresh, taking three weeks off before this week. Like Kaymer, he can’t be enthused about the weather delay, but it’s common for golfers to want competitive action the week before a big event. In a tie for 58th at four-under, Pieters is off the pace and can tackle his final round in whatever way he sees fit as part of early preparation for next week.

Next: Ryder Cup: Top 5 Contenders for Love's Final Pick

What do you think: will Levy hold on for the win? Let us know in the comments, and keep it here at Pro Golf Now for more updates from the Porsche European Open.

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