U.S. Open Round 4 grades
— -- PINEHURST, N.C. -- Martin Kaymer was in a class by himself this week at Pinehurst No. 2.
Whatever this championship lacked in drama because of his otherworldly play, Erik Compton made up for it with his story of resilience to overcome two heart transplants to fulfill his dream of playing professional golf. Grades don't do justice to what he accomplished here this week.
Here are my overall grades for Kaymer, Compton and the other players on my board.
Adam Scott World Ranking: No. 1 | Scores: 73-67-73-69
The world No. 1 had his second under-par round of the week on Sunday with a 69 for a 2-over total. At the start of the championship, many thought 2-over would be enough to win the tournament.
Henrik Stenson World Ranking: No. 2 | Scores: 69-69-70-73
The Swede scattered five bogeys around Pinehurst No. 2 on Sunday, but he managed a 3-over 73 for a 1-over finish, a great U.S. Open, even in 2014.
Matt Kuchar World Ranking: No. 5 | Scores: 69-70-71-73
Rory McIlroy World Ranking: No. 6 | Scores: 71-68-74-73
For the second year in a row, the former No. 1 in the world had a sloppy weekend in the U.S. Open. After rounds of 71 and 68, the 25-year-old Northern Irishman was 7-over in his final two rounds.
Jason Day World Ranking: No. 7 | Scores: 73-68-72-68
The 26-year-old Australian earned his third U.S. Open top 10 in just four career starts in the event. His time to win this championship is not far off. His two 68s this week on a brutally difficult course are a sign of his ability to overcome a challenging course.
Sergio Garcia World Ranking: No. 8 | Scores: 73-71-72-72
Justin Rose World Ranking: No. 9 | Scores: 72-69-70-72
Jordan Spieth World Ranking: No. 10 | Score: 69-70-72-73
Phil Mickelson World Ranking: No. 11 | Scores: 70-73-72-72
Since his Open Championship win at Muirfield in July, Mickelson has been anticipating this week at Pinehurst. Would this be the place where he completed the career Grand Slam with a victory in the U.S. Open? Well, it didn't happen. Lefty was very mediocre. His final round 2-over 72 was symbolic of his entire week. Just when it looked like he might have an even par or better round, he made a double bogey at the par-4 16th hole, putting the icing on a rough week.
Dustin Johnson World Ranking: No. 15 | Scores: 69-69-70-73
Martin Kaymer World Ranking: No. 28 | Scores: 65-65-72-69
Rickie Fowler World Ranking: No. 39 | Scores: 70-70-67-72
Brendon Todd World Ranking: No. 55 | Scores: 69-67-79-69
Erik Compton World Ranking: No. 187 | Scores: 72-68-67-72