Martin Kaymer survives difficult third day with strong US Open lead intact

After a historic first two rounds at the US Open, Martin Kaymer wasn't at his best on Saturday but still plenty good enough to maintain prohibitive favourite status going into Sunday.

Martin Kaymer of Germany putts on the 14th hole during the third round of the 114th US Open on Saturday. Mike Ehrmann / Getty Images / AFP / June 14, 2014

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 2-over 72 in blazing sunshine 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 8-under total of 202 in the year’s second major.

“It was good,” the former world No 1 told NBC after covering the back nine in 1-over 36. “I didn’t play as good as the first two days, but I kept it very well together.

“I felt like today if you have 25 or 30 feet (with approach shots) on every green, you’ve done well. The USGA (United States Golf Association) put the pins in very, very tough positions.

“On 18 it was probably the easiest pin today and, fortunately, I could take care of it.”

Kaymer, a commanding six strokes clear overnight after setting a tournament low for 36 holes with a 10-under aggregate of 130, finished five ahead of Americans Rickie Fowler and Erik Compton, whose 67s were the best of the round.

Swedish world No 2 Henrik Stenson and long-hitting American Dustin Johnson were a further shot back at 2-under after carding 70s on a day when Fowler and Compton were the only players in the 67-man field to dip under par.

“Very, very pleased with today’s work,” Fowler told reporters after a five-birdie display. “Swing-wise, I didn’t drive it very well today but I kept it in play and stayed out of trouble when I could.

“I can put myself in contention with the rest of the group, and see what Martin does,” Fowler said of Sunday’s final round.

“If he goes out and posts double digits (under par), it’s going to be impossible for us to catch him. It’s like a second tournament going on.”

Reigning US Open champion Justin Rose of England inched his way back up the leaderboard with an even-par 70 to end what is traditionally known as ‘Moving Day’ at the majors at 1-over, 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 3-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.

Kaymer, seeking his second major title after winning the 2010 PGA Championship, made his first bogey at the treacherous par-four second where he three-putted from long range, just off the front of the green.

That dropped him back to 9-under, but still six strokes in front after playing partner Brendon Todd also bogeyed the hole.

Kaymer narrowly missed a birdie opportunity from nine feet at the third, then did well to drop only one stroke at the par-four fourth after taking an unplayable lie when his tee shot ended up next to a pile of pine needles.

He punched a low third shot down the fairway, well short of the green, struck his fourth to 15 feet and coolly sank the bogey putt before pumping his fist with relief.

With his lead cut to five strokes, Kaymer appeared to be in trouble at the fifth when his tee shot sailed left into a native waste area behind a small bush.

From there, however, he brilliantly struck a high draw to six feet and sank the eagle putt to get back to 10-under, seven ahead of his closest pursuers.

Kaymer again stumbled with a three-putt bogey at the difficult par-three sixth, where his first putt rolled off the edge of the green, before he parred the next three holes to remain at 9-under.

The German dropped further shots at the par-four 13th, where he three-putted, and at the par-three 15th, where his tee shot ended up just short of the green, but his birdie at the last earned him extra breathing room with a five-stroke advantage.

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