Martin Kaymer paid tribute to Padraig Harrington after being crowned Players’ Player of the Year for 2010 at the European Tour’s awards dinner in London last night.
The World No.3, who accumulated record earnings of €4.46 million to win the Race to Dubai last season after claiming four victories, including a maiden major title at the US PGA, praised three-time major champion Harrington for installing a winning mentality into the European camp.
“What I have achieved was unbelievable, but I have Padraig Harrington to thank for it,” said the 26-year-old German.
“When he won his first major at the Open in 2007 and then followed it with two more in 2008, he gave Europeans the belief that we could win majors as well. It wasn’t just the Americans like Tiger Woods.
“All the putts Padraig holed inspired me to work harder and it showed at the US PGA Championship.”
Kaymer also played a crucial role in Europe’s Ryder Cup triumph at Celtic Manor contributing two and half points, before rising to the World No.1 spot for eight weeks after defending his Abu Dhabi crown in January.
“After my major win I was fortunate to keep winning, which was very important,” added Kaymer, who starts as one of the favourites for this week's BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth.
“I want to keep winning majors and the big events like the PGA this week, so I can look back when I am 45 or 50 and can say I worked as hard as I could to be the best. That is what I learned when I grew up, it was what my parents told me – the most important thing in life is to work hand.”
Kaymer was also named joint European Tour Golfer of the Year for 2010, alongside US Open champion Graeme McDowell, who finished second in the Race to Dubai standings and claimed the all-important winning point against Hunter Mahan to win the Ryder Cup for Europe in October.
Italy's 18-year-old sensation Matteo Manassero, who has already won twice on the European Tour, was presented with the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award.
