Martin Kaymer, currently ranked No. 6 on the Official World Golf Ranking, has received a Commissioner’s Foreign Exemption for the 2010 Waste Management Phoenix Open.

Kaymer’s full-time status on the European Tour requires him to play under an exemption in PGA TOUR tournaments. His high world ranking and desire to compete in the upcoming Waste Management Phoenix Open lead to PGA TOUR Commissioner Tim Finchem to grant this exemption for Kaymer.

“Martin is a tremendous talent with surprisingly strong ties to Scottsdale,” said 2010 Waste Management Phoenix Open Tournament Chairman David Rauch. “He has an apartment just down the road from the TPC Scottsdale and is a member at Whisper Rock Golf Club. We are really excited for him to make his debut here in Scottsdale and hope this will lead to more PGA TOUR appearances.”

A full-time member of the European Tour, the 25-year-old German vaulted from 14th to 6th on the Official World Golf Ranking after his win at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship, his second victory in three years at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.

In 2007 Kaymer became the first German to win the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year award, and in just three-plus seasons he has accumulated five European Tour wins.

Kaymer finished 3rd in the 2009 European Tour Race to Dubai final standings despite missing two months after breaking three bones in his foot last summer. He currently ranks 2nd in the 2010 European Tour Race to Dubai standings.

In the United States, Kaymer has played in 19 events, with his best finish coming at last year’s PGA Championship at Hazeltine, where he finished T6.

The Waste Management Phoenix Open will be played February 22 – 28, 2010, at the TPC Scottsdale. For more information on the Waste Management Phoenix Open, visit wmphoenixopen.com.