Image credit: USGA website[/caption]
Pinehurst #2, the so-called masterpiece of golf architect Donald Ross, was a slightly different stage than typical Open venues. After undergoing a restoration by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, the non-fairway areas had changed to native sandy areas with grassy clumps. Thus, no thick rough.
Phil Mickelson came into the tournament hoping to secure the last piece of the "career grand slam," winning all four major championships. Mickelson was not much of a factor however, but remains positive he will achieve one of golf's most difficult and cherished accomplishments.
The setup by the United States Golf Association for U.S. Opens is typically designed to produce a winner at even-par. Barring one player, the setup was a success, with two 2nd place finishers Rickie Fowler and sss xxxx at one under par.
The lone player who seemed unaffected by the setup was German golfer and former world #1 Martin Kaymer. In the first round Kaymer carded a record 65, jumping ahead of the field by several shots. Proving that his first round was not a fluke, Kaymer dropped another 65 on the field in the second round. From that point no player in the field could threaten Kaymer, who held a lead of 6-8 shots the rest of the way. The final margin of victory was seven shots.
The U.S. Open win marks Kaymer's 2nd major championship, the first being the 2011 PGA Championship. Kaymer now has two wins in 2014 having won THE PLAYERS Championship earlier this year.
PGA Results: 2014 US Open
There were many interesting story lines during this year's U.S. Open at Pinehurst Resort's famous #2 course. Two major things were missing this year, Tiger Woods and "U.S. Open rough."
Woods missed his 2nd major championship in a row as he is still recovering from back surgery. With each major that goes by for Woods, it becomes more and more doubtful that he can eclipse the major championship record of 18 wins held by Jack Nicklaus.
[caption id="attachment_5159" align="aligncenter" width="800"] Image credit: USGA website[/caption]
Pinehurst #2, the so-called masterpiece of golf architect Donald Ross, was a slightly different stage than typical Open venues. After undergoing a restoration by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, the non-fairway areas had changed to native sandy areas with grassy clumps. Thus, no thick rough.
Phil Mickelson came into the tournament hoping to secure the last piece of the "career grand slam," winning all four major championships. Mickelson was not much of a factor however, but remains positive he will achieve one of golf's most difficult and cherished accomplishments.
The setup by the United States Golf Association for U.S. Opens is typically designed to produce a winner at even-par. Barring one player, the setup was a success, with two 2nd place finishers Rickie Fowler and sss xxxx at one under par.
The lone player who seemed unaffected by the setup was German golfer and former world #1 Martin Kaymer. In the first round Kaymer carded a record 65, jumping ahead of the field by several shots. Proving that his first round was not a fluke, Kaymer dropped another 65 on the field in the second round. From that point no player in the field could threaten Kaymer, who held a lead of 6-8 shots the rest of the way. The final margin of victory was seven shots.
The U.S. Open win marks Kaymer's 2nd major championship, the first being the 2011 PGA Championship. Kaymer now has two wins in 2014 having won THE PLAYERS Championship earlier this year.
Image credit: USGA website[/caption]
Pinehurst #2, the so-called masterpiece of golf architect Donald Ross, was a slightly different stage than typical Open venues. After undergoing a restoration by Bill Coore and Ben Crenshaw, the non-fairway areas had changed to native sandy areas with grassy clumps. Thus, no thick rough.
Phil Mickelson came into the tournament hoping to secure the last piece of the "career grand slam," winning all four major championships. Mickelson was not much of a factor however, but remains positive he will achieve one of golf's most difficult and cherished accomplishments.
The setup by the United States Golf Association for U.S. Opens is typically designed to produce a winner at even-par. Barring one player, the setup was a success, with two 2nd place finishers Rickie Fowler and sss xxxx at one under par.
The lone player who seemed unaffected by the setup was German golfer and former world #1 Martin Kaymer. In the first round Kaymer carded a record 65, jumping ahead of the field by several shots. Proving that his first round was not a fluke, Kaymer dropped another 65 on the field in the second round. From that point no player in the field could threaten Kaymer, who held a lead of 6-8 shots the rest of the way. The final margin of victory was seven shots.
The U.S. Open win marks Kaymer's 2nd major championship, the first being the 2011 PGA Championship. Kaymer now has two wins in 2014 having won THE PLAYERS Championship earlier this year.
