Martin kaymer closes the first 36 holes at Pinehurst No. 2 with the extraordinary result of 130 strokes, ten under par. It's almost a record for it U.S. Open, the second Major of the season which is always played on different courses, each time prepared in such a way as to make life difficult for the players. This year, in North Carolina, the field is not impossible, but the pitfalls are many and the results testify to it. All, except one, that of the 29-year-old from Dusseldorf who has already won The Players this season.
Kaymer's lead over his pursuers at the moment is six strokes, behind him the first on the list is a contemporary: Brendon Todd, of Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania) number 55 in the world. Kevin Na and Brandt Snedeker follow at -3. Among the Europeans, in fifth position, we find the world number two Henrik Stenson (-2), in tenth Rory McIlroy (-1), then Francesco Molinari, fourteenth, with a score of 140 shots. Same score as world number one Adam Scott.
Kaymer dominates a short ranking from above, which is played out in the space of a few strokes and which could still change a lot between now and the end.
It is difficult to say if the German will resist at this level for another two days, he will certainly try and it is good to remember that in 2010 he won a Major, the Pga Championship, in 2011 he was at the top of the ranking for a few months and two years ago he was of Ryder stars. It would be a smash hit for him, even if it would, sadly, kill the show.
In the first two rounds Martin showed a perfect game, missing only three fairways and taking 26 out of 36 greens, completing a score with 11 birdies and only one bogey and wants to attack again in the last two rounds.
"If you think you're defending the result - he says - it means you're pulling back and this doesn't work playing golf". In short, the German is very determined and so far everything has been easy for him.
For many others, however, Pinehurst proved to be an impossible obstacle and some favorites of the eve will spend the weekend at home, from Bubba Watson to Luke Donald, although the cut has been set high at +4. Not even Andrea Pavan made it, on his debut in a Major.
Molinari, on the other hand, accomplished yet another great feat and today starts from pole position, at 14,08 pm local time (20,08 pm in Italy), with Erik Compton, only seven starts ahead of Kaymer and Todd. After them Adam Scott and Jordan Spieth, in a head-to-head surely to follow. Then Matt Kuchar and Henrik Stenson, who seems to have rediscovered some of last year's polish. Keegan Bardley and Brendon De Jonge; Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka; Brandt Snedeker and Kevin Na; finally at 15,25 (21,25) the leader with Todd.
Phil Mcikelson, the eternal second in this race, managed to pass the cut by a whisker, he is 13 lengths behind Kaymer in 33rd position, with 143 strokes behind. But he doesn't give up on his optimism: "This is a race - he says - where anything can happen". And we believe him.
