PINEHURST, N.C. – The restored Pinehurst No. 2 served as a slightly more inviting host, but it still offered a major-worthy test for the world’s best players.
Martin Kaymer won by eight shots, and his 9-under 271 was the second-lowest total in the U.S. Open in the past 75 years.
“To me I like a course setup where if you do all the right things you get rewarded,” said Mike Davis, the executive director of the USGA. “To me, that’s what this restoration and this golf course gave.”
Here is a comparison of the three Opens held here:
1999:
Players under par: 1
Fairways hit: 66 percent
Greens hit: 47 percent
Birdies and eagles made: 731
Scoring average: 74.55
2005:
Players under par: 0
Fairways hit: 52 percent
Greens hit: 50 percent
Birdies and eagles made: 867
Scoring average: 74.17
2014:
Players under par: 3
Fairways hit: 70 percent
Greens hit: 56 percent
Birdies and eagles made: 981
Scoring average: 73.07
Comparing the three winners:
Payne Stewart: T-8 fairways hit (44); T-8 greens in regulation (41); 111 putts (T-8)
Michael Campbell: T-8 fairways (36); T-16 greens in regulation (41); 113 putts (T-4)
Martin Kaymer: T-9 fairways hit (43); T-18 greens in regulation (45); 110 putts (T-3)