GERMANY’S MARTIN KAYMER holds a five-stroke lead following Saturday’s third round of the US Open, which proved to be a day of struggles for most competitors at Pinehurst.
The 29-year-old from Dusseldorf began the round with a six-stroke lead after a historic 36-hole start on 10-under 130, the lowest in US Open history.
But with tougher pin placements on Saturday, Kaymer made three bogeys in the first six holes against an eagle at the par-5 fifth.
After a bogey at six, Kaymer ended the roller-coaster ride and parred six holes in a row until a bogey at 13 and a five-foot par putt miss for bogey at 15 left him on seven-under.
After a par at 16, Kaymer was four strokes in front of Americans Rickie Fowler and Erik Compton, both in the clubhouse on three-under 207 after three-under 67s, the only sub-par rounds of the day.
He closed out with a pair of threes, however, one of which was a fine birdie on the 18th.
Rory McIlroy is down on three-over after a round of 74 while Northern Irish compatriot Graeme McDowell fared worse. The former US Open winner shot 75 and is tied for 42nd on nine-over.
