Martin Kaymer, who had been near-flawless with his golf over the first two days, survived three early bogeys and a faltering finish to lead the US Open by five shots after Saturday’s third round.
In pursuit of his second major title, the 29-year-old German conjured a miraculous eagle at the par-five fifth on the way to a two-over-par 72 at Pinehurst Resort, where scoring was at its most difficult for the week.
With very little margin for error on approach shots into domed greens running increasingly fast and firm, Kaymer bogeyed two of his last six holes, but sank a six-foot birdie putt at the 18th for an eight-under total of 202.
Photo: AFP
“Two-over par is not as bad as it looks on the scorecard,” the former world No. 1 said. “I kept it very well together, even though I didn’t hit as many great shots as yesterday and Thursday. Overall it’s a decent round.”
Kaymer, a commanding six strokes clear overnight after setting a US Open low for 36 holes with a 10-under aggregate of 130, finished five ahead of the US’ Rickie Fowler and Erik Compton, whose 67s were the best of the round.
Swedish world No. 2 Henrik Stenson and long-hitting Dustin Johnson were a further shot back at two under, after carding 70s on a day when Fowler and Compton were the only players in the 67-man field to dip under par.
Reigning US Open champion Justin Rose of England inched his way back up the leaderboard with an even-par 70, nine strokes off the pace.
Australian world No. 1 Adam Scott (73) and 2011 winner Rory McIlroy (74) did not fare as well, as they finished a further two shots back at three-over 213.
Tricky pin positions, many of them tucked away in the corners of Pinehurst’s infamous turtleback greens, and increasingly slick conditions presented a daunting challenge for the players in the third round.
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