Ryder Cup stars hit pay dirt after long wait for victories December 2, 2012 -- Updated 2334 GMT (0734 HKT) Former world No. 1 Martin Kaymer celebrates his first tournament victory since November 2011. 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 (CNN) -- 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. Cinderella story Panic attack? Time out Hospital treatment Playing on Best of Ryder Cup 05 ryder cup 0930 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. Kaymer followed up compatriot Bernhard Langer's victory in the seniors event in Sun City on Saturday. Bernhard has been a massive help for me. We talked at the Ryder Cup on the Saturday in the players' lounge when I didn't play at all, and we talked about the spirit and the attitude of the Ryder Cup, and you can use that for regular tournaments as well," Kaymer said. So he has been a huge influence for me. There was a bit more pressure today because everyone was talking about the German double. But I'm very fortunate that everything worked out for me, and it's obviously very nice from Bernhard that he called me straight away. McDowell, meanwhile, upstaged Tiger Woods by winning the 14-time major champion's Chevron World Challenge event in California. The Northern Irishman, whose last victory came at the same tournament in 2010 after he also won the U.S. Open, finished three shots clear of last year's PGA Championship victor Keegan Bradley to claim the $1.2 million first prize. He was congratulated by compatriot Rory McIlroy, who last weekend ended his season as world No. 1 and leader of both the U.S. and European money lists. Great win @Graeme_McDowell!! They should rename that event the Gmac Challenge! Enjoy the well deserved break! McIlroy wrote on Twitter. Woods, who ended his own long victory drought as host 12 months ago, finished tied for fourth with fellow Americans Jim Furyk and Rickie Fowler. November 26, 2012 -- Updated 2305 GMT (0705 HKT) Rory McIlroy is to trim his schedule to focus on 2013's four major titles after a fairytale year. November 18, 2012 -- Updated 1600 GMT (0000 HKT) A busy Sunday saw four tournaments across three continents settled to underline the truly global nature of modern golf. November 12, 2012 -- Updated 1433 GMT (2233 HKT) It was a Cinderella story taken straight from the script of a Disney classic. November 8, 2012 -- Updated 1258 GMT (2058 HKT) It has been four years since Tiger Woods won a major title, but the former world No. 1 insists he still has time to beat the record held by his hero. November 8, 2012 -- Updated 1132 GMT (1932 HKT) Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy talk to Living Golf about how their relationship has evolved. November 28, 2012 -- Updated 1508 GMT (2308 HKT) Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy went head to head at a golf tournament that featured the world's top eight golf players. November 8, 2012 -- Updated 1232 GMT (2032 HKT) Former world number one Lorena Ochoa talks about balancing golfing with being a new mother. October 31, 2012 -- Updated 1032 GMT (1832 HKT) World No. 1 Rory McIlroy and 14-time major winner Tiger Woods are both accustomed to life on the road, but even they are not immune to the strains of the golf circuit. October 30, 2012 -- Updated 1429 GMT (2229 HKT) "Nice guys finish last" is a mantra often preached in sport and business. Where golf is concerned, it would seem "nice guys" finish second. October 4, 2012 -- Updated 1721 GMT (0121 HKT) Amanda Davies speaks with the Duke of York as he hosts the 11th addition of his Young Champions Trophy. September 27, 2012 -- Updated 1048 GMT (1848 HKT) The best golfers from the United States and Europe will go head to head with not a dime on the line and with nothing to play for but pride itself.