Interesting. If you believe this Reuters article, newly minted World Number 1 Martin Kaymer may be better known in the United States than he is in Germany.

“In Germany, it’s very difficult to get (fan) respect and recognition because we have only soccer and Formula One which are pretty big,” the 26-year-old said at this week’s WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in Marana, Arizona.

“And as a golf player, you barely get recognised at all. I’m trying to do what Steffi Graf and Boris Becker did in tennis. If we can do the same with golf in Germany, that would be very nice.”

After getting within striking distance yesterday, Tiger went out and shot a 75, putting him in a t20 for the week. World Number One Lee Westwood shot a 72 and ended up in a t15. Martin Kaymer threw up all over himself this weekend, finishing in a t31 with a 70 in the final round.

So much for the new triumvirate.

This surely is not what Tiger was hoping for at this point. I hope the Tour has a backup marketing plan.

Following the third round of the Dubai Desert Classic, two of the big three have fizzled. Lee Westwood, the current king, shot a 72 and is in a t13. Heir apparent Martin Kaymer shot a 76 and now is in a t47. But Tiger, the Mordred to Westwood’s Arthur, shot a 72 and is in a t4.

Tiger’s line now reads: 71 - 66 - 72

As he has in recent outings, Tiger has put together a good round following a mediocre. On the strength of a six under 66, he has moved into a T5 in the Dubai Desert Classic.

Lee Westwood, the current World #1, fell into a T11, while heir apparent Martin Kaymer fell ten spots into a T20.

Meanwhile Rory McIlroy continues to hold the lead at -11, after shooting a four under 68.

At the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, Tiger Woods, Martin Kaymer and Lee Westwood were grouped for the first two rounds. Having the world’s top three players (by the “Official” rankings, anyway) was a neat idea, but after the first round, it’s been a bit of a fizzle.

Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer currently are in T10, at -2. Woods is in a T27 at -1.

Leading the tournament is Rory McIlroy, at -7, with Sergio Garcia in second at -5.

I haven’t seen the television coverage, so I can’t say how well the Triumvirate was playing. Perhaps someone who caught the coverage can let us know.

I don’t normally pay attention to European Tour events, primarily because they’re on at awkward times and because I’m as caught up in US media hype as anyone. But this week’s Dubai Desert Classic offers an intriguing field, not the least because Tiger’s in the mix.

Amazingly, considering his diminished finishing skills, Tiger has been ensconced at 11/1 for the Dubai Desert Classic, just behind Martin Kaymer at 5/1, Rory McIlroy at 6/1 and Lee Westwood at 10/1. Kaymer is making a solid argument for begin the best player on the planet right now, with a win and a top ten finish to go with his stellar performance of last year.

The opening rounds of the Dubai should be very interesting: Tiger, Martin Kaymer and Lee Westwood will play together in the first two rounds. That’s the current top three in the world on the same tees. I’ll have to set my dvr.

The rest of the odds for the Dubai Desert Classic are below, courtesy of Bodog, the world’s largest betting destination.