Kaymer drops caddie with whom he won major, ascended to No. 1 ranking

Less than three months after becoming world No. 1, Martin Kaymer has broken up with his Scottish caddie Craig Connelly.

Connelly flew with Kaymer from Florida to Spain on Sunday night, but Kaymer's brother Philip will be carrying his bag in the Volvo World Match Play Championship starting on Thursday.

"For me, it was just time to change and move on," said the 26-year-old. "We've talked about it a few times already, but on Sunday we had a little chat and just decided to go our separate ways."

A full-time replacement could be in place for next week's BMW PGA Championship -- and after the year Kaymer has had, there will be no shortage of people willing to step into Connelly's shoes.

Kaymer lifted the first major title of his career at the PGA Championship last August, won his next two tournaments as well, and in November topped the European Tour money list.

In February he took over from Lee Westwood as world No. 1 by reaching the final of the WGC-Accenture Match Play in Arizona, but he then missed the cut in the Masters for the fourth successive year and has since slipped to third in the rankings behind Westwood and Luke Donald.

"Obviously Craig and me, we had a fantastic year together -- he's a very good caddie,” Kaymer added. “I just felt like I needed a change. It has nothing really to do with Craig -- he's a fantastic guy and he's been a good caddie for me.

"I haven't had any calls yet (from other caddies) -- I think nobody knows,” he said. “But obviously now some people will know."

Since his amateur days, Kaymer has been mentored by Fanny Sunesson, former caddie of Sir Nick Faldo and now with Sweden’s Henrik Stenson. Almost certainly she will not be taking the job as his caddie, however.

"I think what we are doing is very good and I don't think we will really change that," said Kaymer.

His brother, who is studying law in Cologne, worked as Kaymer's caddie in his rookie season.

"I'll just try to have some fun with him this week and we'll see what happens at Wentworth if I find somebody,” Kaymer said. "If not, I'm sure I will find somebody for the U.S. Open."

This week's event offers a first prize of almost $1 million that is second only to the British Open in Europe this year -- and with five of the world's top six in the 24-man field, there are enough points on offer to take Kaymer or Donald to the No. 1 spot.