Ryder Cup stars hit pay dirt after long wait for victories

Updated 2334 GMT (0734 HKT) December 2, 2012

Former world No. 1 Martin Kaymer celebrates his first tournament victory since November 2011.

Story highlights

Martin Kaymer posts his first victory of 2012 in his final event of the season
German wins $1.25 million first prize at Nedbank Challenge in South Africa
Fellow Ryder Cup winner Graeme McDowell wins $1.2 million at World Challenge
McDowell upstages host Tiger Woods to claim his first win since 2010

Martin Kaymer and Graeme McDowell tasted team success at September's Ryder Cup, but the former major winners have had to wait a long time for individual glory this year.

That ended on Sunday as former world No. 1 Kaymer clinched his first tournament win since November 2011 and McDowell posted his first victory since 2010 in another exhibition tournament.

"I'm very happy to finally win this year, that was the most important thing for me because I was practicing very hard," Kaymer said after landing the $1.25 million first prize at the Nedbank Challenge in Sun City, South Africa.

"I played very well the last few weeks and months, but it just did not happen for me on the golf course."

The German finished two shots clear of South Africa's 2011 Masters winner Charl Schwartzel in a 12-man field that also included 2010 British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen and former world No. 1 Lee Westwood.

Rory McIlroy capped a sensational year with victory at the Dubai World Championship on Sunday. The Northern Irishman won five tournaments in 2012, including his second major, topped the money list on both the PGA and European Tours and ended the season as the world's No. 1 player.

Photos: McIlroy on top of the world

Icing on the cake – Rory McIlroy capped a sensational year with victory at the Dubai World Championship on Sunday. The Northern Irishman won five tournaments in 2012, including his second major, topped the money list on both the PGA and European Tours and ended the season as the world's No. 1 player.

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After a solid start to the season McIlroy's year took off with victory at the Honda Classic in March. By holding off a chasing pack that included Tiger Woods and Keegan Bradley, the 23-year-old became world No. 1 for the first time in his career.

Photos: McIlroy on top of the world

Streets ahead – After a solid start to the season McIlroy's year took off with victory at the Honda Classic in March. By holding off a chasing pack that included Tiger Woods and Keegan Bradley, the 23-year-old became world No. 1 for the first time in his career.

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After a mid-season slump, McIlroy roared back to form with an eight-shot victory at the PGA Championship to seal his second major triumph. It was the biggest winning margin in majors history, as he took the record from Jack Nicklaus -- the game's greatest ever player.

Photos: McIlroy on top of the world

Major success – After a mid-season slump, McIlroy roared back to form with an eight-shot victory at the PGA Championship to seal his second major triumph. It was the biggest winning margin in majors history, as he took the record from Jack Nicklaus -- the game's greatest ever player.

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McIlroy was almost unstoppable now as he secured victory at the Deutsche Bank Championship to take the lead in the PGA Tour's Fed Ex Cup -- the finale to their regular season.

Photos: McIlroy on top of the world

The real deal – McIlroy was almost unstoppable now as he secured victory at the Deutsche Bank Championship to take the lead in the PGA Tour's Fed Ex Cup -- the finale to their regular season.

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The following week the 23-year-old was in the winner's circle again, this time taking top honors at the BMW Championship. He became the first player to record back to back victories on the PGA Tour since Tiger Woods in 2009.

Photos: McIlroy on top of the world

Cooking on gas – The following week the 23-year-old was in the winner's circle again, this time taking top honors at the BMW Championship. He became the first player to record back to back victories on the PGA Tour since Tiger Woods in 2009.

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McIlroy's friendship with Tiger Woods blossomed during the 2012 season. The two even took each other on at an exhibition tournament in China in front of a huge crowd. McIlroy won by one shot. Both players reportedly shared $3 million for taking part.

Photos: McIlroy on top of the world

Taming Tiger – McIlroy's friendship with Tiger Woods blossomed during the 2012 season. The two even took each other on at an exhibition tournament in China in front of a huge crowd. McIlroy won by one shot. Both players reportedly shared $3 million for taking part.

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If McIlroy was on song in the individual stakes, he more than played his part in Europe's stunning comeback to win the Ryder Cup at Medinah in Chicago. McIlroy nearly forfeited his singles match by missing the start due to confusion over time zones, but earned a vital point for his side by beating Keegan Bradley as Europe eventually came back from 10-6 down to win 14 1/2 to 13 1/2.

Photos: McIlroy on top of the world

Miracle of Medinah – If McIlroy was on song in the individual stakes, he more than played his part in Europe's stunning comeback to win the Ryder Cup at Medinah in Chicago. McIlroy nearly forfeited his singles match by missing the start due to confusion over time zones, but earned a vital point for his side by beating Keegan Bradley as Europe eventually came back from 10-6 down to win 14 1/2 to 13 1/2.

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Photos: McIlroy on top of the world

Lucky charm – McIlroy was watched every step of the way in Dubai by his girlfriend -- tennis star Caroline Wozniacki.

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American rookie Charlie Beljan wins the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic just two days after being taking to hospital with an elevated heart rate and numbness in his arm.

Photos: Charlie Beljan's Cinderella story

Cinderella story – American rookie Charlie Beljan wins the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic just two days after being taking to hospital with an elevated heart rate and numbness in his arm.

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Photos: Charlie Beljan's Cinderella story

Panic attack? – Beljan speaks with emergency medical services staff during his second round at the Magnolia course on Friday.

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Beljan, who was fighting to keep his PGA Tour playing rights for next season, told his caddy that he thought he was "going to die" after suffering elevated blood pressure and numbness in his arms.

Photos: Charlie Beljan's Cinderella story

Time out – Beljan, who was fighting to keep his PGA Tour playing rights for next season, told his caddy that he thought he was "going to die" after suffering elevated blood pressure and numbness in his arms.

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The 28-year-old was taken to hospital following Friday's round, having shot a remarkable eight-under-par 64 to lead the $4.7 million tournament by three shots.

Photos: Charlie Beljan's Cinderella story

Hospital treatment – The 28-year-old was taken to hospital following Friday's round, having shot a remarkable eight-under-par 64 to lead the $4.7 million tournament by three shots.

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Photos: Charlie Beljan's Cinderella story

Playing on – The Arizona native confirmed that he would play in Saturday's third round in Florida despite being advised to rest by doctors.

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