With This Absurdly Good First 36 Holes, Martin Kaymer...

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...from the USGA media notes...

  • Kaymer’s 36-hole total of 130 is the lowest score for the first 36 holes in a U.S. Open. The previous record was held by Rory McIlroy, who shot 131 in 2011 at Congressional.
  • His six-stroke lead tied the largest 36-hole lead in U.S. Open history. Tiger Woods (2000, Pebble Beach) and Rory McIlroy (2011, Congressional) also had six-stroke leads.
  • He became the sixth player in U.S. Open history to reach double digits under par. He joins Gil Morgan (1992), Tiger Woods (2000), Jim Furyk (2003), Ricky Barnes (2009) and Rory McIlroy (2011).
  • Kaymer joins Rory McIlroy (2011) as the only players to be double digits under par through 36 holes at a U.S. Open.
  • He reached double digits under par in 32 holes – the second-fastest in U.S. Open history. Rory McIlroy reached double digits under par in 26 holes in 2011 at Congressional.
  • Kaymer is the first player to open a major championship with consecutive rounds of 65 or better.
  • He ranks in the top five in all three major statistical categories: Fairways Hit (T-2, 25/28), Greens in Regulation (T-5, 26/36), and Total Putts (T-4, 54).
  • Kaymer has held a 36-hole lead on seven occasions. He has gone on to win four times, including the 2014 Players Championship.

Dave Kindred wrote about Kaymer's incredible start and post round comments and surmised...

This U.S. Open is his. Three players ever have led the Open by five shots or more after 36 holes. Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Willie Anderson all won the tournament. Kaymer leads this Open by six shots.

A snippet of Kaymer's post-round comments:

Corrections And Amplifications, WSJ And Phil Edition

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Thanks to reader John for noticing the Wall Street Journal's very minor "Corrections & Addendums" to their original story from two weeks ago on Phil Mickelson and the federal investigation of insider trading.


Corrections & Amplifications

Golfer Phil Mickelson didn't trade Clorox securities, according to his lawyer. An earlier version of this article incorrectly said Mr. Mickelson's trading in Clorox was under scrutiny.


While the New York Times was criticized for almost entirely retracting their reporting on Mickelson, the paper at least did so in fairly high-profile fashion. It appears the Journal is not ready to do so yet.

Members Still Have To Vote On Royal Portrush Open Invite

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Brian Keogh reports and posts a letter that went out to Royal Portrush members assuaging concerns about a possible Open Championship (or more) by reminding them that they will get to vote before the R&A is told it's a go. The R&A has scheduled a news conference Monday to announce a future Open Championship without committing to a date.

And considering the absolutely perfect record of club membership votes, why not! What could possibly go wrong, especially as they have to build two no Martin Hawtree holes to permanently shove aside two H.S. Colt holes, including one with an iconic bunker? Who wouldn't vote for that?

There is frustration and irritation amongst many of the older members about the secrecy surrounding the negotiations between the club, The R&A and the Northern Ireland Executive. Few have seen drawings of the proposed changes and many are loathe to lose the 17th and 18th holes;

In theory, they could indeed say, 'Thanks, but no thanks' to two proposed new holes and other changes required for a potential 2019 staging.

New York Times (Grudgingly) Admits They Misfired On Phil Mickelson's Part In Insider Trading Story

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The Matthew Goldstein and Ben Protess story which, while still suggesting Phil Mickelson may have issues related to his Dean Foods trades that netted him $1 million (to Billy Walters' $15 million), includes this:

“The new details, provided in the interviews with the people briefed on the matter, indicate that Mr. Mickelson’s ties to the investigation are weaker than previously reported.”

My analysis at GolfDigest.com's The Loop.

Classy: Thistle Dhu Is Kids-Only Putting During U.S. Opens

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The USGA has really taken their presentation of the grounds at Pinehurst up several notches from past Opens, with many subtle details to best reflect the values of the resort and the local aesthetic. The white horse farm fencing is an especially classy touch and a common site in these parts.

But without question the biggest spectator hit so far is the kids-only, First Tee of Sandhills-staffed Thistle Dhu putting course built by the resort last year and only available to the kids this week.