U.S. Open News: Kaymer Keeps Five-Shot Lead, Wins Tournament
Martin Kaymer is currently making a name for himself, especially that most of the prominent names in golf are either fading or recuperating from injuries.
No doubt the 29-year-old German encountered no rough greens and obstructed paths on his way to capturing the U. S. Open Sunday. It was a dominating performance marked by a five shot lead going into the final round of the tournament.
Taking in comfortably ahead of his peers, Kaymer also held an eight-stroke advantage over Rickie Fowler with three holes remaining. He was also to build on his lead with consecutive birdies at the 13th and 14th holes. The last of the two was a 30-footer that improved his score to 2 under and 10 under overall.
Yahoo! Sports reported only two other players were capable of chasing him for the tile: Fowler and Erik Compton who both got at 2 under and 4 under at one point or another before bowing out to the eventual winner. Fowler's performance was his best, playing in the final group in the majors for the first time in his career. But his No. 4 did him in where his second shot sailed off right into the pine trees and right off the fairway. After that, his next shot flew over the green and he needed to sink a long put just to make 6.
The eventual champion Kaymer initially opened the lowest 36-hole score in U.S. Open History with back to back 65s for a 10-under 130. His impressive start was not sustained specially last Saturday but he still managed to put up a respectable 2 over 72 that gave him a comfortable lead over the pack at 8-under-202.
All eyes were on come backing Legend Phil Mickelson. But he did not come close to completing a respectable tournament. The six-time U.S. Open runner-up was not able to break par all week, registering a 72 that left him at only 7-over 287. Also notably absent is golf's most popular player Tiger Woods who is still recuperating from back surgery. The world's top-ranked player, Adam Scott, turned in 69 to wind up at 282.
In the end, Kaymer's lead was insurmountable for anybody to pose a real threat. The only other time a layer squandered a five-shot lead heading into the final round was Mike Brady in 1919. He only shot 80 and bowed down to Walter Hagen in a playoff the following day.