Since starting LIV Golf in 2022, Martin Kaymer has had a hard time staying in shape. But on Friday at Hong Kong Golf Club, the two-time major winner showed signs of his old self.

Used to be number one in the world Martin Kaymer shot a six-under 64 at LIV Golf Hong Kong on Friday to show off his major-winning skills.

Since starting LIV Golf in 2022, Kaymer has had trouble getting back into shape. However, he looked like he was back to his best during his first round at Hong Kong Golf Club. His seven birdies included four in a row between the sixth and ninth holes. He was a star in the Ryder Cup in the past.

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“This winter was the first winter in I would say the last four years that I was pain-free,” Kaymer said after the round. I could really work on my game again that winter.I could really get better in Spain. I liked knowing that you would show up to the first event ready to play well. It doesn’t mean you’ll play well, but at least you practiced with all the energy you had for three months, and I was able to do that.

Abraham Ancer and Dean Burmester are in first and second place, with Kaymer just one shot behind them. He wants to win his first LIV Golf title.

Since he switched to Cleeks GC on the circuit backed by Saudi Arabia, Kaymer’s success has been up and down. Kaymer told the reporters after his round that he’s been hurt for a while. After his first season with LIV, he had to have surgery on his hand.

Read More: Rory McIlroy changes his mind and says he would play LIV Golf.

Before finally coming back last April, he missed the first four events of the 2023 season. No wonder it took Kaymer a while to get back into the swing of things after he came back. The previous major champion and his Cleeks teammates had a rough season last year. In any of his 10 events, he didn’t make it into the top 20.

Since he is one of the few LIV stars with big exemptions, Kaymer will want to get in shape for the rest of the week and the rest of the season. He can play in both the PGA Championship and the U.S. Open this year because he won them in 2010 and 2014, but not in the Masters or the Open.

Rory McIlroy, who used to play with him in the Ryder Cup, won’t want the German to win again at Valhalla and Pinehurst. After being in season two of Netflix’s “Full Swing,” the Northern Irishman questioned his ability to win major titles at last year’s PGA Championship. He hasn’t won a major title in 10 years.