PINEHURST, North Carolina — Martin Kaymer, playing flawless golf, took advantage of a rain-softened Pinehurst layout in record style to stretch his US Open lead to a commanding six shots after Friday's second round. The 29-year-old German, three ahead overnight after opening with a five-under-par 65 that he described as “exceptional,” followed up with the same score to post a tournament low 10-under total of 130 in the second major of the season. Northern Ireland's Rory McIlroy had set the previous lowest score after 36 holes with an aggregate of 131 on the way to a runaway victory in the 2011 US Open at Congressional. “I don't know what to say,” the unflappable but ever-modest Kaymer told reporters after hitting 12 of 14 fairways and reaching 15 of 18 greens in regulation on a challenging par-70 layout. “It's just very, very solid. “It gets boring, the words that I use, but I mean, there's not much to say. It's just good right now, the way I play golf.” Kaymer's six-stroke advantage matched the largest US Open lead after 36 holes, emulating Tiger Woods at Pebble Beach in 2000 and McIlroy in 2011. When Kaymer concluded his round after teeing off on a sunny but relatively calm morning at Pinehurst, he was eight shots in front of his closest pursuers but, by the time play ended for the day, American Brendon Todd had trimmed that by two. Todd, who clinched his maiden PGA Tour title at the Byron Nelson Championship four weeks ago, carded a bogey-free 67 in the afternoon to finish alone at four under. Americans Kevin Na (69) and Brandt Snedeker (68) were a further stroke back but virtually every player in the field will be keeping at least one eye on Kaymer over the weekend as the runaway leader bids to win his second major title. Kaymer, who gained a major confidence boost from his victory at the elite Players Championship last month, has played brilliant golf at challenging Pinehurst over the last two days. “It was pretty awesome,” 2011 PGA Championship winner Keegan Bradley said of Kaymer's play after being grouped with the German for the first two rounds at Pinehurst. “He's dialed in. He's as dialed in as I've seen.” World No. 1 Adam Scott, who had struggled with his short game on the way to an opening 73, clawed his way back up the leaderboard with a four-birdie 67 to end the second round at level par, 10 strokes off the pace. “I needed a good one today,” said the Australian. “Hit some good shots and made some putts. It still felt like hard work, but I'm very happy with the score. “For him (Kaymer) to come out today and back it up (his opening 65) is super. If he does it for two more days, then we're all playing for second spot.” England's Justin Rose, who launched his US Open title defense with a 72, followed up with a 69 for a one-over total. Phil Mickelson, who has yet to win his national championship where he has been a runner-up a record six times, was a further two strokes back after struggling to a 73, his bid to claim the one major he needs to compete a career grand slam in tatters. — Reuters
