U.S. Open tee times 2014: Pairings and start time for Saturday’s round

Martin Kaymer wasn’t just good during the first two rounds of the U.S. Open, he was historically great. Now, the 29-year-old will head into the weekend with a significant lead as he attempts to win a second major championship of his career. He’ll be thrust into the spotlight on Saturday, playing in the final group of the day.

At 10-under through 36 holes, Kaymer set a U.S. Open record for the lowest total through two rounds with 130 strokes. He was the second-fastest to reach double-digit red numbers in U.S. Open history, needing just 32 holes. He’s only the sixth player to ever hit double digit under par in a U.S. Open. None of that, however, guarantees him anything beyond a spot in the final group. With 36 holes left and a Pinehurst course that can bite back quickly and severely, Kaymer will likely need two more solid rounds if he’s going to remain on top. That process will start on Saturday when he plays in the final group, joined by Brendon Todd. Todd has continued his strong season this week and is 4-under heading into the third round. The two are scheduled to tee off at 3:25 p.m. ET.

How much pressure Kaymer feels in the third round will depend a lot on how the players before him play. Scoring conditions haven’t been as hard as some expected, thanks largely to some overnight rain. Beyond Kaymer, the leaderboard is bunched relatively tightly with 32 players at 2-over or better. If someone on the fringe of contention, say Justin Rose at 1-over, goes low early, it could add some pressure for Kaymer to continue to post red numbers. If the course gets the better of the morning wave, Kaymer may begin play with only two or three players within eight strokes of his lead.

Thirteen players will begin the final round in the red, including Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Matt Kuchar who are all 1-under. Brandt Snedeker is 3-under and he’ll play in the second-to-last pairing, joined by Kevin Na. The two are scheduled to hit the course one group before Kaymer and Todd, with a 3:14 p.m. tee time. Dustin Johnson, playing with Brooks Koepka will also be in the late groups as he’ll tee off at 3:03 p.m. Keegan Bradley and Brendon De Jonge will form the fourth-to-last pairing and will step to the first tee at 2:52 p.m.

Although they’ll have significant ground to make up, Jordan Spieth and Adam Scott will form one of the most-notable pairings in the round. Scott, the No. 1 player in the world, played better on Friday, shooting a 67. Spieth currently holds the title of top young player in the world, but the 20-year-old could play his way into contention for a major championship with a solid round. The two will tee off at 2:19 p.m.

Here is the full slate of third round U.S. Open tee times. All times Eastern.