Martin Kaymer’s Rollercoaster Performance at US Open Reunion
Former world number one Martin Kaymer returns to Pinehurst a decade after his dominant US Open win, delivering a rollercoaster performance that includes birdies and setbacks. Learn about his insights on the tournament and reflections on the challenging course.
Golf Icon Martin Kaymer Showcases Highs and Lows at US Open Reunion
Ten years after his dominant triumph at the 2014 US Open, former world number one Martin Kaymer returned to Pinehurst and delivered a rollercoaster performance in the final round.
Kaymer, who led wire-to-wire to secure his second major title a decade ago, carded a closing 73 to finish the tournament at 13-over par, well before the last group teed off. The German birdied the first, fifth, 10th, and 13th holes, where a forward tee made the green reachable, but also made a double bogey on the ninth and a quadruple-bogey eight on the 14th.
“I think the USGA set up the golf course really nicely the last four days, especially over the weekend,” Kaymer told the PA news agency. “You do have some tricky pins but you know that. You have to play away from flags quite often so you rely on a lot of putts inside 10 feet because you will miss the odd green here and there.”
Reflecting on his struggles on the 14th hole, Kaymer admitted that once he had fallen out of contention, he tried to hit “a really nice, cute pitch shot” that came up short twice. However, the former champion remained upbeat about his experience, saying, “It was a fun week. I enjoyed the challenge.”
Kaymer also spoke about his practice round with Rory McIlroy earlier in the week and their pairing in the first two rounds of the 2014 US PGA, which McIlroy went on to win. The Northern Irishman entered the final round of this year’s US Open in a share of second place, three shots behind leader Bryson DeChambeau.
“He plays the same way he did back then, winning is just so difficult,” Kaymer said of McIlroy. “He came close so many times, I think it’s just a matter of making those clutch putts on the back nine. We all know he’s good enough, but you do need a little bit of luck as well.”
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