The Evisceration of Pinehurst: A Martin Kaymer Story.

When Martin Kaymer fired off a five under 65 on Thursday afternoon on a beautiful day at Pinehurst No. 2, people expected him to come back to earth. Sure, this is a former number one in the world, a former Major champion and the winner of the 2014 Players Championship, but still it seemed ridiculous to fire off such a low number at a course which is known for its torment of golfers, not pleasure. Kaymer went out and fired off another 65 putting him at 10 under for the weekend. The German golfer shredded the entire course to have his second major victory. It might have hurt the ratings and entertainment of the tournament  yet this is the most impressive major wins in the last decade.

Kaymer didn't flinch at all out there for the whole weekend. The resiliency he showed throughout the entire weekend was something to admire ensuring no one even sniffed the lead. Kaymer could have easily shot a 75 on Saturday, and there would have been multiple golfers with a chance.  He didn't play the best on Saturday, but kept his composure with no one really challenging him. He may have dropped two strokes, but the closest golfer to him was Rickie Fowler at three under which was five strokes behind him. Kaymer didn't ever feel a sweat drop on the back of his spine all weekend. This isn't a criticism of the other golfers rather an appreciation of what Kaymer did over the weekend.

When looking at impressive major victories, it ranks way up there. Tiger Woods at Pebble Beach is the standard, but it's fair to put Kaymer's weekend right up there. The closest golfer by the end of the day on Sunday was a slew of golfers at one under while Kaymer stood tall at nine under. He nearly had a double digit victory like Woods did at Pebble Beach.  Louis Ooshuizen's Open Championship victory ended up being very solid and concrete yet he still had some challengers. Same goes for Rory McIlroy's U.S. Open win, and that one adds a little more because of the age of McIlroy yet Congressional is not the same course as Pinehurst. In 2005, Michael Campbell won a U.S. Open where he finished at even par, and Payne Stewart won at Pinehurst only being one under. Kaymer added eight strokes making it that much more stunning of a victory.

Where does Kaymer rank as a top golfer in the world? He might be right there with Adam Scott right now honestly. Kaymer wins two of the toughest tournaments of the season already and will be a likely favorite at the Open Championship and the PGA Championship this season. Kaymer also probably should be considered a favorite to take the FedEx Cup if he keeps playing on the PGA Tour.  It doesn't seem like anything phases him, and he returned to the form that made him one of the best golfers in the world three years ago.

This is what makes golf an incredible sport. Unlike other sports, golfers can disappear for awhile and lose what they had in the past then reappear better than ever like the 2.0 version of themself. It is beautiful thing to watch unfold in real time. Kaymer is back to prominence and will make a run at the number one spot again plus be a lethal part of the 2014 Ryder Cup team.

Charlie.  

U.S. Open Preview: Five International Players to Watch

After a few consecutive weeks off of golf coverage, Charlie and I are back to cover the U.S. Open. I have been assigned the ever difficult task of picking a few favorites, from across the world, to contend for the second major championship of the year. There are a few that jump off the page but I am going to give you a couple others that may sneak their way into contention on Sunday afternoon.

1) Rory McIlroy
With his fellow Nike boy Mr. Woods riding the pine, Rory seems to be the hands down favorite to snag this championship. Rory has been playing great golf this year, but only grabbed one win on the 2014 campaign. After failing to finish the job at The Honda Classic, he ditched his fiance and won a big tournament across the pond; The BMW PGA Championship. Rory has one of the greatest approach games in golf and knows what it takes to win this tournament. Although he was only 16 the last time the USGA was at Pinehurst, Rory has one the U.S. Open in 2011 and finish in the top 10 one more time in his five total attempts. Look for Rory to ‘Own the Second Shot’ and string together some exciting golf.

2) Sergio Garcia

It seems to be tradition that somehow Sergio makes his way into SnoTap major columns. He is the kind of guy you just can’t ignore, especially here. Sergio is the only pro playing this week that finished in the top 10 back in 2005. He carded at impressive T3 result that year. Although Garcia missed the cut at Augusta earlier this year, he finished 3rd at The Players, the Tour’s fifth major. Sergio is second in GIR from non-fairway situations, which may be a commonality throughout the week.

3) Miguel Angel Jimenez
Another Spaniard? Why not!? If this isn't the year of Adam Scott, it is defiantly the year of Jimenez. He is well known as ‘The Most Interesting Man in Golf’ but he is yet to crown himself a major champion. Although he is yet to miss a cut in 2014, he hasn't fared well in U.S. Opens in the past. He will have to capitalize on his short game and mid-distance approach because he is not able to get off the tee like the young guns.

4) Louis Oosthuizen
From a guy that hasn't won a major to a guy who has won one, but nobody remembers; I think Louis may find himself hanging around come Sunday. Louis is a great ball striker but can just have a streaky game at times. In 2011, the year that Rory won, Oosty finished in a tie for ninth at Congressional. Although he only has one top 10 so far this year, I think he will find a way to grace the leaderboard when it matters.

5) Adam Scott
The man that cannot be ignored. Scott is not known for play well at the U.S. Open but I don’t think it matters. His last 12 months prove he can win/contend anywhere. The Aussie has never finished higher than 15th in this major but his record so far this season shows he will at least be around for the weekend. Adam’s worst finish this year came at The Players with a tie for 38th, which is still nothing to be ashamed of. Look for him to do what he does best and ride the momentum to success.

-Bryan