2014 U.S. Open winner Martin Kaymer has shared why he felt embarrassed during his remarkable victory at Pinehurst No.2 ten years ago.
The German cruised to an eight-shot win, finishing on nine under, well clear of his nearest challengers, Erik Compton and Rickie Fowler.
Given Pinehurst No.2’s brutish reputation and how the rest of the field faired, Kaymer’s performance was nothing short of remarkable – and it will certainly take some doing to beat this time around.
And now, ahead of next week’s return to the notorious North Carolina track, the German has been speaking about exactly how he produced such a performance.
Martin Kaymer sheds light on 2014 U.S. Open win at Pinehurst No.2
Ahead of LIV Golf Houston this week, Kaymer has revealed how he felt embarrassed by the level of his scoring after the first two rounds in 2014.
“Shooting ten under par after two rounds on that golf course,” he explained. “I almost felt a bit embarrassed about it because two days prior to the event, I was asked what I thought the winning score would be, and I said it was two or three over par. Then you shoot ten under, and you are surprised yourself.”
Martin Kaymer’s nine-under around Pinehurst won’t be repeated
During the U.S. Open’s illustrious history at the North Carolina venue, only one player has finished better than one-under-par: Kaymer.
In 1999, Payne Stewart was victorious, finishing on one-under, and it was a similar story back in 2005 when Michael Campbell edged out Tiger Woods with a level par score over his 72 holes.
Compton and Fowler – Kaymer’s nearest challengers – both finished on one under in 2014, a score which would typically have been enough to take victory.
Looking at the U.S. Open’s history at Pinehurst No.2 demonstrates just how special the German’s 2014 outing was. When at the peak of his powers, few could match the now-LIV Golf star’s capabilities.
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