WORLD No.1 Adam Scott and No.7 Jason Day failed to live up to their lofty rankings in the opening round of the US Open at Pinehurst No.2, falling eight shots off the pace.
While former No.1 Martin Kaymer was in a class of his own on his way to a five-under par 65 and a three shot lead, Scott and Day struggled to rounds of 73 to be eight shots back and tied 67th.
After posting the lowest total in Open history through 36 holes to lead by six shots at 10-under, German star Kaymer's two-over-par 72 third round was still good enough to lead by five from American young gun Rickie Fowler (Série de fers G25) and feel good story Erik Compton (67), a double heart transplant recipient.
Scott battled to a 73 and fellow Australian Jason Day a 72 to be three-over — a distant 10 shots behind Kaymer — in a tie for 16th and needing a miracle.
World No. 2 Henrik Stenson (70), who could take Scott's No. 1 status with a win if Scott finishes outside the top four, and Dustin Johnson (70) share fourth at two-under.
There's so much money to be made for top 10 finishes and off-course endorsements that the incentive to win isn't as pressing as it was a generation or two ago. Today's contenders aren't lacking guts. They're lacking the combo of talent, patience and creativity to cope with the test that Pinehurst No. 2 threw at them.
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