Martin Kaymer “struggled” to a two-over 72 today, finishing at eight-under overall, but will take a five-shot lead into Sunday’s final round at the U.S. Open.
Kaymer will try to maintain at least a one shot lead after 18 more holes at Pinehurst No. 2, and become the first German-born player to win the U.S. Open. It would also be his third PGA victory. He certainly has a knack for the big ones on this side of the pond as first victory stateside was the 2010 PGA Championship. The second was last month's Players Championship, featuring the deepest field of the year and often considered the game's "fifth major."
Now he's on the verge of winning what's referred to as the toughest test in golf. The former World’s No. 1, has been recently showing the form that took him to the top spot in the world rankings. A win here will certainly boost his chances to continue climbing in the ranks, where he currently sits at No. 28.
After setting a U.S. Open record with back-to-back 65s in the first two rounds, he started day three holding a six-shot lead over Brendon Todd. Kevin Na and Brandt Snedeker who were at three-under, and one clear of a group of five which included Henrik Stenson and Keegan Bradley.
After Kaymer bogeyed the second and fourth holes, hope started to show on the chasing field. But then came what could be the best shot of this year’s second major, when the German shot from the native area left of the fifth fairway to within six feet of the pin.
Kaymer would suitably convert for an eagle, erasing those two shots he gave back to the field. From here on, the German would understandably—with the rest of the field struggling—take a safety first approach.
He would drop shots on 13th and 15th, taking his lead down to four, but a crucial birdie putt from eight feet on the home hole would move him back to eight under, offsetting in part those two bogeys on the back nine.
“I didn’t play as well as the first two days but I kept it together very well,” Kaymer said. “I felt like today if you have 25 feet or 30 feet on every green, you’ve done well. The USGA put the pins in very, very tough positions. On 18 it was probably the easiest pin and, fortunately, I could take care of it.”
This, as he acknowledged, was the day in which the United States Golf Association took its revenge for Kaymer’s record-breaking start to its major. The set-up of the course bordered on unfair in places.
It wasn’t a show made for TV—or on the field for that matter—out there today. You wouldn’t know these are the best players in the world playing a major tournament for what transpired today. It was a day-long struggle for them to get even with the fierce, firm, fast venue extended to more than 7,500 yards. Oh and there was a deceptively tricky breeze as well to handle.
Americans Rickie Fowler and Erik Compton, both shot 67 and moved up 12 spots on the leaderboard to follow Kaymer at three-under. Fowler, who wore Stewart’s trademark plus-fours in Thursday’s first round to pay homage to the late two-time U.S. Open champion, will be playing with Kaymer on Sunday’s final pairing.
Fowler will have a firsthand look at the player from which he would have five-shots to make up to win his first career major. He will not be wearing the plus-fours on Sunday; he will instead be wearing his customary orange outfit, but a win would complete his Stewart honoring big time.
Compton could be the story of the young century, should he be able to make up the lost ground and win on Sunday. The 34-year-old has already undergone two heart transplants and is competing in only his second major championship.
“Yesterday it was extremely hot and for me it can be difficult when it gets hot,” said Compton after his 67. “But I felt really comfortable out there today and I picked good targets and made aggressive swings.
“I’m just really happy to be here. Walking down 18, you try to keep yourself focused but you’re emotional and you’re in the competition and ... look, it’s just really great to be here and I’m looking forward to tomorrow.”
Compton will be playing in the second-to-last group with the World’s No. 2 player, Sweden’s Henrik Stenson, who along with American Dustin Johnson, both shot an even-par 70 today and sit in a tie for fourth place at two-under.
Brandt Snedeker’s 72 was good enough to place him in solo sixth at one-under, being the last player on the leaderboard under-par.
Matt Kuchar (71), Brooks Koepka (72) and Kevin Na (73) are all tied for seventh place at even-par, one shot ahead the four-way tie for 10th place composed of defending champion Justin Rose (70), Jordan Spieth (72), Chris Kirk (72) and Brendon de Jonge (73).
Japan’s Toru Taniguchi will kick off the final round with a tee time set at 9:32 am ET. Tee times for the final three groups will be:
- 3:13 PM USA Brandt Snedeker, USA Dustin Johnson
- 3:24 PM SWE Henrik Stenson, USA Erik Compton
- 3:35 PM USA Rickie Fowler, GER Martin Kaymer
Television coverage will be provided by NBC starting at 12:00 noon and will run through 7:30 pm ET.