PINEHURST, N.C. — Can anyone catch Martin Kaymer?
Brendon Todd, Kevin Na and Brandt Snedeker likely will have the most say in that, particularly in Saturday’s third round, because they are closest to the leader — if you can call six shots (Todd) and seven shots (Na and Snedeker) close to Kaymer’s 10-under total through 36 holes.
“Obviously, if you asked any player at the beginning of the week, ‘If you were 4-under through two days, would you take it or would you be in the lead?’ … everybody would say, ‘Yes,’ ’’ Todd said.
His philosophy going forward?
“Stick to your game and just keep playing good U.S. Open golf,’’ Todd said. “If you can play each nine 1-under par, you’re probably doing really, really good. If [Kaymer] comes back to us, great. If he shoots 10-under again in the next two days, then he’s superhuman. So we’ll just have to try and wear him down.’’
Na said: “I can’t change my strategy. I’ve just got to take what I get and play my game and hopefully I can close the gap and apply some pressure. You play your game and you post a number and you wait. That’s all you can do.
“If you change your game and it doesn’t work out, then you’ve got to be kicking yourself. If you stick to the game plan and give it your best shot, you can say, ‘Hey, I gave it my best, he beat me. I didn’t lose the tournament, he beat me.’ If Martin goes out and shoots under par for 36 holes again and stays in double figures, hat’s off to him. He deserves it.’’
Kaymer was caught off-guard when asked to describe the quirky pre-shot routine of Keegan Bradley, with whom he played the first two rounds.
“Different,’’ Kaymer said. “Not a nice question. I can only lose here. I mean, it’s not easy to play with Keegan, I must admit that. Because sometimes he takes a little bit more time and sometimes he takes a little bit less time, so it’s quite difficult to adjust. But we know that. I played with Keegan the last few years many times, so we know that his pre-shot routine can change … yes.’’
Bradley, unaware his routine was distracting to Kaymer, had nothing but nice things to say about him after their round.
“He’s a really fun guy to play with,’’ Bradley said. “He’s really nice guy. He’s a major champion [and] won the Players, so he’s got a lot of game, obviously.’’
Fran Quinn, a darling of this tournament who got into the field via the U.S. Open sectional qualifier in Purchase, N.Y., followed his magical opening-round 68 with a 4-over-par 74 Friday, but it was still good enough to make the cut, standing at 2-over for the tournament — his first U.S. Open since 1996.
The 49-year-old Quinn, who lives in Holden, Mass., and has played countless mini tour events throughout his career, has his 15-year-old son, Owen, caddying for him this week.
“It’s surreal to be able to have your 15-year-old out with you, walking on the biggest stage in the world,’’ Quinn said. “We’ve talked about it and he’s handled it far better than I would have at 15 years old. But he’s a mature young boy. He’s a very smart kid. And he’s a great player. So it’s a great experience for him. But I’ll probably say it’s a better experience for me.’’
The Quinn story had gained so much momentum this week fans now recognize him.
“People love the story,’’ Quinn said. “It’s pretty neat to see a father playing with his son caddying on the bag on Father’s Day weekend. But if you really knew that boy, it’s way more special than I can even put into words.’’
Now that he’s made the cut, Quinn said he believes he can be a factor on the weekend — despite trailing Kaymer by 12 shots.
“It’s one good round from being really in the mix,’’ he said. “So hopefully I can go out [Saturday] and shoot a really good score and get back in the mix. I expect to play some really good golf.
I expect [Saturday] to go out and play a solid round and put myself in the mix for Sunday. That’s what I … really expect. I wish I was a couple lower, but I’m sure everyone in the field does … except Martin.’’
Adam Scott, who entered the day having played 37 U.S. Open rounds and breaking par only twice, shot a 3-under-par 67 to get to even par for the tournament and make his seventh cut in 13 tries.
“I needed a good one [Friday],’’ Scott said. “I hit some good shots and made some putts today and it still felt like hard work, but I’m very happy with the score.’’
Scott, ranked No. 1 in the world, got himself to even par for the tournament, 10 shots off the lead.
“I think if I drew up my perfect plan right now, over the next 27 holes you would like to narrow the gap to less than half of what it is,’’ Scott said. “Anything could happen over nine holes at a U.S. Open, so if I played great … I think I can narrow that gap and hopefully feel like I’m in contention come the back nine Sunday.’’
Kevin Kisner, with two holes to play in his Friday round, asked his father, Steve, to caddie for him on Nos. 17 and 18 as an early Father’s Day gift. Kisner’s plan was to have his dad caddie for him on the last hole Sunday, but en route to a 7-over-par 77 Friday and 12-over for the tournament, he was not going to make the cut.
Worst hole of the day goes to Jeff Maggert, who took a 10 on the par-5 fifth hole Friday. … Kenny Perry, the oldest player in the field at 53, and a Champion’s Tour competitor, made the cut at 3-over par after shooting 69 Friday. … Notables who missed the cut included major winners Bubba Watson, Jason Dufner, Angel Cabrera, Charl Schwartzel and Lucas Glover. … Two amateurs made the cut — Matthew Fitzpatrick and Brian Campbell.