Martin Kaymer playing late in the afternoon wave posted the best round of the day at Pinehurst to take a three-stroke lead in the U.S. Open.
Kaymer began his round with birdies at Nos. 1 and 5, but a bogey at No. 7 left him at one-under-par 34 for the front nine. His high fade consistently found the fairway and he was able to hole some putts on the back nine to shoot a four-under-par 31. His five-under-par 65 is the best score ever posted in a U.S. Open held at Pinehurst.
Kaymer reached No. 1 in the world rankings in February, 2011, after winning the 2010 PGA Championship. After swing changes, he struggled for two years before returning to the top of leaderboards this year.
Early predictions were that few players would break par on the newly renovated Pinehurst #2. The bowl-shaped greens would be too firm to hold even wedge shots and the fairways would repel balls into the waste areas filled with all sorts of nasty grass and weeds.
With 156 players in the field, the USGA did not set up the course to play its toughest for the first round. Many of the entrants for this year’s U.S. Open are young qualifiers who would struggle with difficult conditions.
As a result 36 players are at even-par or better after the first 18 holes.
Speaking of young players, Jordan Spieth held the lead early in the day but a couple of bogeys on his back nine left him at one-under-par for the day and four shots back of Kaymer. His playing companions Hideki Matsuyama also posted a one-under-par 69 and Rickie Fowler finished at even-par 70.
Graeme McDowell, Kevan Na and Brendon DeJonge are three shots behind Kaymer in second place.
Matt Kuchar, Spieth, Brandt Snedeker, Henrik Stenson, Dustin Johnson, Matsuyama, Harris English and Keegan Bradley are in a group of 11 players tied at one-under-par.
Phil Mickelson trying to complete his career grand slam with a win this week at the U.S. Open posted a first round even-par 70.
The pairings will stay the same for tomorrow’s second round before the cut comes Friday evening.
Although it was hot and humid in Pinehurst on Thursday, the rain stayed away and if the course stays this firm the scores will get progressively higher each day.