<image="1" align="left" />German Martin Kaymer produced one of the great performances the in recent history of major championships with an eight stroke win at the U.S Open at Pinehurst No.2.
The 29 year-old could only look up and laugh after he rolled in his 10-foot par putt on the 72nd hole, completing a dream week. He led the championship wire-to-wire en route to winning his second major championship following his PGA Championship win in 2010.
Kaymer shot 1-under 69 finishing four rounds at 9-under 271 (65-65-72-69). Erik Compton and Rickie Fowler finished second.
Kaymer capped it off with a par that was reminiscent of the one made by Payne Stewart to win the 1999 U.S. Open. Kaymer had to lay up after drawing a tough lie in the native area right of the 18th fairway. He made his par putt after wedging to 10 feet.
Australia’s Jason Day yet again showed his appetite for the U.S Open, producing his third Top 4 finish in the last four years after finishing in a tie for fourth at 1-over par.
World Number 1 Adam Scott closed with a 1-under par 69 to share ninth place at 2-over while Aaron Baddeley finished 23rd.
Kaymer took command early in the tournament, leading by three strokes after the first round, six shots at the midway point and five shots at the completion of 54 holes. His consecutive 65s set the U.S. Open record for low score over the opening two rounds.
He becomes the first person to win THE PLAYERS Championship and U.S. Open in the same season. This is the 29-year-old's second major title; he also won the 2010 PGA Championship.
"He was playing his own tournament," said Fowler, who joined Kaymer in Sunday's final group.
The top four finishers earn invitations to next year’s Masters, ensuring Compton his first invitation to Augusta National.
"It's just a real special moment," Compton said.
Kaymer was No. 1 in the world from Feb. 28 to April 24, 2011, a span of eight weeks. He went into a slump shortly after as he tried to implement swing changes. Kaymer's PLAYERS win in May was his first victory in a full-field event since the World Golf Championships-HSBC Champions in November 2011.