( CNN ) -- Germany 's Martin Kaymer has been speaking about his rise to the top of the world golf rankings , despite losing the WGC-Accenture Match Play final to Luke Donald at the weekend . The 26-year-old from Dusseldorf takes over as world number one from Lee Westwood , almost 25 years to the month since Bernhard Langer became the first player -- and only other German -- to head the newly-created rankings in April 1986 . Kaymer told the official European Tour website : `` I definitely need some time to think about it and let it sink in . `` The good thing is next week I do n't have a tournament , so maybe then I 'll be able to appreciate what I 've done . `` What I can say for sure is that it 's an incredibly proud moment . Not only for me , but also for my family , for the people who have helped me , and obviously for Germany . `` To be only the second German after Bernhard Langer , who was my role model when I was growing up , is a very special feeling . Kaymer continued : `` When the ranking is published I 'm definitely going to take a picture with my name at the top . It does n't feel real to me at the moment , but maybe when I see it in writing then I 'll start to believe I 'm the best golfer in the world . `` Not many people can say they 're the best player in the world at their sport , so I feel very honored and privileged . '' Kaymer only turned professional in 2005 , but his rapid rise to the top has been phenomenal . Since winning his first European Tour tournament in Abu Dhabi in January 2008 , Kaymer has gone on to lift eight more professional titles , including his first major success -- the 2010 U.S. PGA at Whistling Straits -- and two more victories in Abu Dhabi . He also played a key role in Europe winning the Ryder Cup at Celtic Manor last year and won the 2010 Race to Dubai as Europe 's leading golfer . Kaymer becomes only the 14th player , and sixth European , to become world number one and is the second youngest , behind Tiger Woods , to hold the honor .
Martin Kaymer has been speaking about his rise to the top of the world golf rankings . Kaymer takes over from Lee Westwood despite losing Match Play final to Luke Donald . Kaymer reaches summit just six years after turning professional in 2005 . The 26-year-old is only the sixth European to get to No.1 and the second German .