PINEHURST, N.C. — Germany does not play its first World Cup match until Monday. That makes Martin Kaymer’s window of opportunity to grab some notoriety for golf and himself in his home country rather small.
“I’m actually glad that Germany starts on Monday,’’ Kaymer said Friday. “So maybe I get a little bit of — how do you say it? — some things in the newspapers about me.’’
After what Kaymer has done in the first two rounds of the 114th U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2 — storm to a record-tying, six-shot lead at 10-under par through 36 holes with a second consecutive 65 on Friday — he certainly deserves some ink in Germany’s national newspapers, Bild and Die Welt.
“[Soccer] is our biggest sport and I can’t wait to watch the first game when they play against Portugal on Monday,’’ Kaymer said. “They talk about the preparation probably every single minute or hour about [how] the national team is doing, which is fair enough. Golf is not that important, like a side sport, but not much I can do. Hopefully I can put myself out there, [but] there’s never really a chance to challenge the national team.’’
Asked what kind of attention he would get in Germany if he wins this U.S. Open, which would be his second career major championship title, Kaymer joked: “If I win? It will last probably until Monday, 12 o’clock, and then that’s it.’’
Kaymer is threatening to turn this U.S. Open into a runaway replica of Pebble Beach in 2000, when Tiger Woods won by 15 shots, and Congressional in 2011, when Rory McIlroy won by eight shots. Just as they did in those tournaments, fellow players wondered aloud if Kaymer was playing the same course as the rest of the field.
Brendon Todd is Kaymer’s closest competitor entering the weekend, six shots back at 4-under par. Kevin Na and Brandt Snedeker are 3-under. Dustin Johnson and Keegan Bradley are among several players at 2-under.
“Kaymer’s performance has been incredible,’’ Todd said. “He’s playing a brand of golf that we haven’t seen probably in a long time, since maybe Tiger.’’
Na said he watched Kaymer’s round on TV hours before his afternoon tee time and called it “unbelievable what he’s done.’’
“I heard he played No. 3 Course. Is that true?’’ Na joked, referring to the Pinehurst member’s short course that stretches to 5,790 yards from the tips.
Having played in the 2011 U.S. Open, which McIlroy dominated, Kaymer said he understands what the players below him on the leaderboard are thinking.
“I played Congressional and I thought, ‘How can you shoot that low?’ ’’ he said. “And that’s probably what a lot of other people think about me right now.’’
When he walked off the ninth hole, his last of the round, at about 1:15 p.m., Kaymer had built an eight-shot lead. It looked like a misprint on the scoreboard.
Kaymer’s 36-hole total of 130 set the U.S. Open record for lowest score through two rounds, previously held by McIlroy at 131 in 2011 at Congressional. He is the first player ever to open a major championship with consecutive 65s.
“If he goes out [Saturday] and plays better than everyone again, then this thing is over,’’ said Adam Scott, who is at even par. “If he does this for two more days then we’re all playing for second spot.’’
Kaymer, as he showed in winning the Players Championship, is a worthy closer, owning a 4-3 career record when taking the 36-hole lead into the weekend.
“It’s not a done deal,’’ Kaymer insisted. “You don’t approach Saturday and Sunday in a relaxed way. You have to set your own goals and keep playing well. There is a never a time when you can relax unless it’s Sunday afternoon when you can raise the trophy.’’
Through two rounds, Kaymer has hit 25-of-28 fairways, 26-of-36 greens in regulation and has taken 54 putts. He was 3-for-3 Friday in sand saves, including textbook up-and-downs on Nos. 6 and 7.
“I’ve played the last two rounds with him and it’s been fun to watch,’’ Bradley said. “I’ve played well as well, but it was fun watching him hit every fairway, every green and make every putt. It was pretty awesome. He’s dialed in. He’s as dialed in as I’ve seen. He’s just very steady. He doesn’t seem to get too up and down. That’s a pretty good combination for the U.S. Open.’’
By sunset Sunday, it might end up being a record-shattering combination.