U.S. Open: Tiger, DJ and a decade of champions
2014 Champion – Martin Kaymer
Martin Kaymer’s U.S. Open win came at a peak moment in his career. The German had claimed his first major championship, the PGA Championship, in 2010 at Whistling Straits and began his ascent to the top of the world rankings. In 2011, he bumped Lee Westwood off the top of the rankings, then struggled through a swing change through 2012-2013.
2014 was a comeback year for Kaymer, who steamrolled to victory at THE PLAYERS Championship and then trundled up the road to Pinehurst where he outplayed Rickie Fowler and Erik Compton by eight strokes and hoisted the U.S. Open trophy.
While still very much a presence on both the PGA and European Tours, Kaymer has cooled off a bit since that 2014 romp. He has a consistent, well-rounded game in his bag that has neither exceptional strength nor fatal flaws. Look for him to deliver a respectable performance at Erin Hills. If the balls get friendly bounces and the putts drop, we could see Kaymer in contention.