U.S. Open: Kaymer shoots 2-over-par while maintaining five-stroke lead

PINEHURST, NC – Martin Kaymer failed to shoot below par for a third straight day at the 114th U.S. Open golf championship at Pinehurst, but neither did his closest competitors. In fact, the 29-year-old German lengthened his lead while shooting a third-round 72 for a 54-hole score of 202.

Brendon Todd, second after two days, and Kevin Na, third at the midway point, fell back on the leaderboard with scores of +9 and +3. Rising to second place were Rickie Fowler and Erik Compton who each shot 3-under-par 67 on Saturday, leaving them at 207. Swede Henrik Stenson is fourth at 208.

Kaymer opens Sunday’s final round at 8-under-par, five strokes ahead of Americans Fowler and Compton. Kaymer is vying for his third major title and distinction as the first German ever to win the U.S. national championship.

John Tautges anchors U.S. Open coverage for WestwoodOne Sports. Listen to audio following Sunday’s third round at Pinehurst Country Club.

(Erik Compton says he’s been playing golf for a long time and his lack of experience shouldn’t matter)

[podcast id='1']

(Compton addresses playing with his heart condition)

[podcast id='2']

(Rickie Fowler says his game is the best it has been – and it’s only going to keep getting better)

[podcast id='3']

(Fowler talks of playing for second place, and hoping for first)

[podcast id='4']

(Martin Kaymer didn’t see any birdies today, but the way he played was fine)

[podcast id='0']

(Kaymer says five shots could be gone quickly – everything is still open)

[podcast id='5']

(Kaymer’s challenge for Sunday is to keep going)

[podcast id='6']