On Sunday, June 15th in North Carolina, Martin Kaymer completed one of the most impressive displays in the history of championship golf to win the 114th United States Open by eight shots at iconic Pinehurst No. 2.

Having led from the very start of the week following a record setting opening two rounds of 65, Kaymer would have to carry the pressure and weight of expectation that comes with holding such an advantage in one of golf’s four most important events.

But this is a player who had illustrated his ability to handle the big occasion many times. Already a major champion coming into this week, with his maiden triumph coming at Whistling Straights in the PGA Championship four years ago, before an ascension to the summit of the world rankings a few months later. Kaymer is also a man who had the strength of character to shoulder the hopes of eleven team members, and an entire continent, when sinking the clinching putt for Europe in the 2012 Ryder Cup at Medinah.

More recently, the 29-year-old German claimed a wire-to-wire victory at the Players Championship in March, an event considered by many to be one of the most difficult to win. That triumph at TPC Sawgrass would end a winning drought that had seen him slump to 63rd in the world.

This is a player who has almost experienced it all, major victories and Ryder Cup triumphs, in addition to difficult slumps in form as he sought an even greater level of ability. He wasn’t likely to give the chance of a second major championship up.

On Friday, he led by six shots, an advantage that equalled the halfway lead of Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in their dominating U.S. Open victories. A two-over round of 72 would be hard fought on Saturday, with the USGA setting up the course in a manner in which low scores would be even more scarcely found, but it ensured the 10-time European Tour winner of a five shot advantage heading into Sunday.

Observers had to look back to Jean van de Velde’s disaster at Carnoustie, 15 years ago, for the last time a player had squandered such a lead in a major with just 18 holes remaining.

Those players chasing in hope of a similar struggle from Kaymer, would have those wishes extinguished abruptly, as the likeable Dusseldorf native would show no sign of relenting.

After opening with two pars, Kaymer would birdie the third and eighth on route to completing the front-nine in 34 shots, with a bogey on the seventh being the only blemish. He never gave his rivals n opening, with his immaculate putting stroke ensuring that any mistakes would incur little in the way of damage.

In 72 holes of this U.S. Open – Kaymer would not make a single double bogey.

American Erik Compton, a two-time heart transplant recipient whose remarkable life story has been well documented, made the most potent move towards the German, but three bogeys in five holes between the 11th and 15th from the 34-year-old would end any hope of a challenge to Kaymer.

If truth be told, Kaymer couldn’t be challenged all week. He was a class apart, making an excruciatingly difficult layout look comparatively easy with an imperious display.

Generally, he was accurate off the tee, but even when he found difficult lies, his powers of recovery impressed throughout the week. His irons were pin-point, with his touch with the putter ensuring that he got the most out of every hole.

However, the most impressive attribute was his mind. Leading a major championship, let alone over all four days, brings about all kinds of psychological challenges, with the heightened media attention and pressure of such a lofty position proving difficult for many to handle. Kaymer showed no sign of vulnerability, and that was testament to what was a complete and extraordinary performance.

Having reached ten-under on Friday, he would find himself in that unique position once again on Sunday – following birdies on the 13th and 14th. By this point, the result was not in doubt, with those watching simply savouring an individual performance that was stunning to watch.

Sadly, a bogey on the 16th would see him drop back to nine-under, but he would stand on the 18th tee with an eight shot lead. He was able to enjoy the walk up to the final green, with a warm evening’s sun adorning the surface where Payne Stewart famously completed his triumph in 1999, before facing a 12-foot putt for par to complete an eight-shot victory.

And, of course, he made it to complete one of the greatest performances in major championship history.

Minutes earlier, Erik Compton would hole a ten-footer of his own on the final green to complete an incredible week to finish in a tie for second alongside talented compatriot Rickie Fowler. Compton, who underwent heart transplants at the age of 12 and 28, secured his place in next year’s Masters Tournament, as well as inspiring all those who watched him finish runner-up in his national championship.

Clearly, this week belongs to Martin Kaymer, but Erik Compton will forever be a wonderful sub-plot when we look back at this U.S. Open Championship.

After this, what next for Kaymer, who now has two major championships before the age of 30? The sky is the limit for this likeable and hugely impressive player, who during the past month has firmly restored his status as one of the finest exponents of the game in the world.

After matching the major tally of the legendary Bernhard Langer, the Open Championship is the only title between Germany and its own Grand Slam. With that objective in mind, Kaymer’s gaze will now fixate on the Claret Jug ahead of the year’s third major in a month’s time at Royal Liverpool.

But, for now, he will simply reflect upon this historic triumph, as will we. It takes a great player with a strong mind to complete a dominant wire-to-wire victory in a major championship. Martin Kaymer possesses both of those attributes in abundance.

It was a privilege to witness.