Martin Kaymer blasts 'shocking' crowd behaviour at Hazeltine... and insists the hostile scenes won't be repeated when the Ryder Cup returns to Europe

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Martin Kaymer has become the latest Team Europe star to lay into the US crowds at hostile Hazeltine – accusing some Yank yobs of setting a bad example for their kids.

The German claimed he had seen locals holding babies in their arms while bellowing unrepeatable abuse at the visiting players.

He said: 'I just find it amazing they are standing there with their children in their hand and they say things that you think: 'That's your child next to you. What kind of role model are you?'

Martin Kaymer has become the latest Team Europe star to lay into the US crowds at Hazeltine

'So it's a bit shocking sometimes, the comments you hear. There were names we got called that you would never, ever put in your mouth, repeat to the media or even among your friends.

'There are just some idiots in the crowd. They just go beyond...

'But it's only five per cent of the people. And I think some players had a harder time than others.'

The German claimed he had seen locals holding babies while shouting abuse at players

Kaymer doesn't expect the horrible scenes in the States to be repeated when the Ryder Cup heads to France in two years' time.

'With all respect, it doesn't really happen in Europe,' he insisted. 'Some (American) guys were saying: 'It's the same for us when we come to Europe.' But that's not true.'

Kaymer shot a one-under-par 71 at Carnoustie in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship on Thursday, but the spotlight was on first-round leader Alex Noren, who equalled the course record with a 64.

This year's showdown has been labelled as one of the most hostile in the competition's history

It was the best round of the day on any of the three courses used for the Championship, although Ollie Fisher shot 65 at Kingsbarns to sit second on the leaderboard – just one ahead of a group including Scotland's Scott Jamieson.

The local hero can secure his European Tour card for the year with a strong finish here, admitting: 'It was in my mind coming into this that I need a good week. I'm just outside the bubble just now but I'm in a much better position than a month ago.

'One solid week and it's done and dusted - but one great week and I could go on and have my best season yet. It's a funny old game how one week can change everything massively.

A fan was ejected from Hazeltine National Golf Club after abusing Europe's Rory McIlroy

'If I was to finish top 20 then the most important goal is probably taken care of in terms of securing my card - but if I can get a top 10 or top five then you start talking about getting into the Final Stage events.

'It's incredible how fine the margins are from one extreme to the other. If I can keep playing the way I did today then hopefully I'll be right in there come Sunday.'

Kaymer shot a one-under-par 71 at Carnoustie in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship