PINEHURST, N.C. (AP) — Martin Kaymer has shot a 5-under 65 to take a three-shot lead after the opening round of the U.S. Open.
The German birdied three of the last five holes at Pinehurst No. 2 on Thursday to break out of a tie with Graeme McDowell, Kevin Na and Brendon de Jonge. Kaymer closed his round by sinking a 6-footer to save par at No. 18.
It was the lowest round ever posted for the three Opens played at this Donald Ross masterpiece in the sand hills of North Carolina. Sweden's Peter Hedblom held the previous mark with a 66 during the second round in 2005.
Also, Kaymer matched Rory McIlroy in 2011 for the second-lowest opening round in the past decade. Mike Weir started with a 64 at Bethpage in 2009.