US Open latest
US Open latest sees Martin Kaymer out in front at the midway stage at Pinehurst.
Kaymer admitted there is still work to do despite keeping his bid for a second major on track by firing the best half way score in US Open history at Pinehurst.
The German, who won the US PGA Championship in 2010, shot a five-under 65 for the second day in succession to give himself a six stroke lead.
He currently sits on 10-under par going into day three on Saturday, with his nearest rival Brendon Todd, who shot 67 on day two. Kaymer is 8/15 to win the US Open outright, with Todd 20/1.
Defending champion Justin Rose inched to one over after a 69 and world number one Adam Scott made progress with a 67 to move to level par.
But Kaymer was in imperious form as he reached halfway in 130 shots to eclipse McIlroy’s record mark of 131 when he won the US Open at Congressional in 2011.
He also equalled the best 36-hole mark at any major championship, set by Nick Faldo in the 1992 Open at Muirfield and Snedeker at Royal Lytham in 2012.
His margin matches the largest halfway lead at the US Open, set by Tiger Woods at Pebble Beach in 2000 and McIlroy three years ago. Woods ended up winning by 15 shots and McIlroy won by eight.
Former world number one Kaymer, who won the prestigious Players Championship in May, took advantage of morning greens softened by heavy overnight rain to pile up three birdies on his front nine, including a 25ft effort on the short 16th, after starting from the 10th.
He then picked up further shots at the third and fifth before missing a putt from 10ft for a 64 on the last. Despite dominating at Pinehurst, Kaymer is aware that there is still work to do.
“It’s not a done deal,” said Kaymer. “You don’t approach Saturday and Sunday in a relaxed way.
“It’s never a time when you can relax, unless it’s Sunday afternoon and you are raising the trophy. There’s never a time you can take it easy, you have to set your own goals and keep playing well.”
Latest Betting……
Kevin Na 28/1 and Brandt Snedeker 28/1 are a shot further back from Todd, while Dustin Johnson 28/1, Keegan Bradley 33/1 and Henrik Stenson 18/1 are amongst a group of five players who are on -2.
Rory McIlroy 18/1, Jordan Spieth 33/1, Matt Kuchar 40/1 and Chris Kirk 100/1 are all on one-under, with only 13 players reaching the half way stage of the tournament under par.
Sixty-eight players made the cut including Phil Mickelson, who is having a disappointing tournament so far, firing a second-day 73 to finish on +3 overall and is 150/1 to win the US Open.
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