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Berlin - New world number one Martin Kaymer is 'just what German golf needs', according to Bernhard Langer, but the 26-year-old himself insists he is not golf's version of Boris Becker, Michael Schumacher or Franz Beckenbauer.
Kaymer, from Duesseldorf, replaced England's Lee Westwood at the top of the world golf rankings on Monday after reaching the final of the Match Play Championship in Arizona last weekend.
It was almost 25 years since Langer, the last and only other German to do so, headed the world rankings in April 1986 - when Kaymer was 14 months old.
"From a golfing standpoint, he can do anything," Langer told pgatour.com.
"I think it's wonderful. It's what German golf needs. He's a great role model. I hope he stays up there for many, many years."
But while Germany may need a golfing hero to rejuvenate interest in the sport here, Kaymer says he is nothing like tennis' Becker, Formula One's Schumacher or football-legend Beckenbauer.
"Those three dominated their sports for decades and inspired a whole country," said Kaymer when the Cologne Express asked if he could spark the same interest in his sport as the trio did in theirs.
"I am only at the beginning of my career and have still have many years ahead of me in which I must prove that I belong amongst the best golfers.
"Such comparisons do not honestly sit well with me at all."
But Kaymer is pleased to have reached the summit of world golf.
"I am pleased about the wonderful comments and the increased interest in my sport," he said.
"I had a great season in 2010, which totally exceeded my expectations.
"I had planned, of course, to one day be at the top, but the fact it has happened at the start of the season is not something I would have even dreamed of."
While reaching number one is impressive, Kaymer says the goal now is to stay there.
"I want to keep playing successfully, win further titles, defend others and stay for as long as I can at number one," he said.
In football-mad Germany, golf has been off the terrestrial airwaves for while and Kaymer's exploits on the world's courses are only screened by pay-to-view broadcaster Sky.
But his rapid rise to world number one status has aroused the interest of Germany's main broadcasters.
"We have been watching closely how Martin has been performing," ARD sports co-ordinator Axel Balkausky told SID, an AFP subsidiary.
"With him as number one it makes it a lot easier to put golf on television.
"We will look to have a conversation with Sky."
Germany are bidding, along with France, the Netherlands, Portugal and Spain to host the 2018 Ryder Cup and the successful candidate will be announced at Wentworth Club, Surrey, England, on Tuesday May 17.
If successful, Germany will host golf's top event at a brand-new course in Rohrenfeld, north of Munich and, as president of the bid, Langer says Kaymer's success is a boost to Germany's hopes.
"For the application, his success is very important, but won't determine anything," said Langer.
