PINEHURST, N. Johnny Oduya Jersey .C. -- Much to his delight, Martin Kaymer discovered that Pinehurst No. 2 was even more different than he imagined in the U.S. Open. This wasnt the beast of a course that Kaymer and so many other players were expecting. This was a day for scoring. Kaymer made six birdies Thursday afternoon, three on the final five holes, that sent the 29-year-old German to the lowest score in three Opens held at Pinehurst No. 2. He made a 6-foot par putt on the 18th hole for a 5-under 65 and a three-shot lead. "It was more playable than I thought," he said. "I think that made a big difference mentally, that you feel like there are actually some birdies out there, not only bogeys." So much was made of the new look at No. 2, which was restored to its old look from more than a half-century ago. There also was plenty of talk that this U.S. Open would be as tough as any U.S. Open. When he finished his final day of practice Wednesday under a broiling sun, Kaymer was asked what it would take to win. "I said plus 8 because the way the golf course played on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday," he said. "But obviously, they softened the conditions a little bit so it was more playable. So hopefully, Im not right with the plus 8. I would be disappointed." Former U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell took the conservative route on his way to a 68 that featured 15 pars, one bogey, one birdie and one eagle. He was joined by Kevin Na, Brendon de Jonge and Fran Quinn, a 49-year-old who last played a U.S. Open in 1996, when Tiger Woods was still an amateur. "This was a golf course where I spent the last few days just preparing myself mentally for the challenge, really, knowing that this golf course wasnt going to give much and it was only going to take," McDowell said. "Im assuming they put some water on this place this morning. And we were able to take advantage of that a little bit early on and actually think about getting at some of those flags." Brandt Snedeker, who had a chance at 30 on his front nine, had to settle for being part of a large group at 69 that included 20-year-old Jordan Spieth, Henrik Stenson, Matt Kuchar and Dustin Johnson. The 15 players to shoot in the 60s were the most for an opening round at the U.S. Open since 24 players did it at rain-softened Olympia Fields in 2003. Phil Mickelson, in his latest quest to win the one major keeping him from the career Grand Slam, shot a 70. He was among the early starters, who received additional help by cloud cover that kept moisture in the greens. Mickelson doesnt expect Pinehurst to be any easier the rest of the week. "There was some low scoring out there -- some good scoring, I should say," he said. "Anything around par, its usually a good score." Masters champion Bubba Watson was among the exceptions. He shot a 76 and said, "This course is better than me right now." Graeme DeLaet of Weyburn, Sask., is already well off the pace after shooting 75. The sun broke through shortly before noon and began to bake the course, though not enough to stop Kaymer. He watched some of the tournament on television in the morning, and he was particularly struck by the sight of Stensons 6-iron into the par-3 15th only rolling out a few feet. Kaymer expected it to roll off the green. "Last night I thought that its going to be very, very firm in the afternoon," he said. "But actually, it was more playable than I thought." Not everyone was able to take advantage. Defending champion Justin Rose had a 72, making his bid a little tougher to become the first repeat winner in 25 years. Adam Scott, the world No. 1 who has been formidable in every major the last two years except the U.S. Open, had a 73. Scott wasnt about to panic. Pinehurst only figures to get more difficult. "You know how its going to be at the end of the week," Scott said. "Were going to be looking at even par, or something around that." Kaymer picked up four birdies with relative ease -- three wedges to inside 3 feet, and a high draw with a 3-wood to about 20 feet on the par-5 fifth for a two-putt birdie. A few longer putts at the end really dressed up the score. He hit a 6-iron at the flag on the 16th hole and made a 12-foot birdie putt, and then hit another 6-iron at the par-3 17th to about 10 feet for birdie. Kaymer tied the course record with a 63 in the opening round when he won The Players Championship last month, ending a drought of some 18 months. That only boosted his confidence, and the 65 on Thursday only adds to it. Even so, he realizes its only one round, and that the course probably wont be so kind or gentle the rest of the way. "I would have never expected myself to shoot such a low round at Pinehurst ... but its a good round of golf," he said. "I wasnt expecting it. Im not freaking out about it. Its the first round of a very, very important tournament. I put myself so far in a good position, but we have three rounds to go. The golf course can change a lot. "If other people want to make more out of it, its fine," he said. "But for me, its a great start into one of the most important weeks of the year." Jamie Oleksiak Jersey . Speaking on Leafs Lunch with Bryan Hayes and Jamie McLennan on Thursday, Bernier said it was "very hard" at times being entrenched behind Jonathan Quick and is now excited at the prospect of getting an opportunity to compete with Reimer for the top spot with the Leafs. Greg Pateryn Jersey . Stepanek gave the Czech Republic its second straight Davis Cup title Sunday, sweeping past Dusan Lajovic in straight sets in the fifth and decisive match to secure a 3-2 win over Serbia in the final. http://www.thedallasstarshockey.com/curtis-mckenzie-hockey-jersey/ .Y. - Islanders forward Anders Lee has been fined $2,286 by the NHL for elbowing St.KAMLOOPS, B.C. -- Riley Kieser had two goals and an assist as the Edmonton Oil Kings won their ninth in a row, toppling the host Kamloops Blazers 4-1 on Wednesday in Western Hockey League action. Henrik Samuelsson and Edgars Kulda also scored for the Oil Kings (38-13-1). Matt Bellerive supplied the scoring for the Blazers (11-38-5), who are on a seven-game skid. Bolton Pouliot turned away 34-of-37 shots for Kamloops. The Oil Kings went 1 for 5 on the power play, and also scored twice shorthanded, while the Blazers failed to find the back of the net on eight chances with the man advantage. --- TIGERS 3 WHEAT KINGS 2 BRANDON -- Trevor Cox scored twice, including the winner 19 seconds into the third period, as Medicine Hat slipped past the Wheat Kings. Cole Sanford had a goal and two assists for the Tigers (31-19-3) while Curtis Valk chipped in with two assists. Jayce Hawryluk and Richard Nejezchleb scored for Brandon (27-20-6). Medicine Hats Marek Langhamer made 21 saves for the win, including a Ryley Lindgren penalty shot at 17:02 of the second period. Jordan Papirny stopped 26 shots for the Wheat Kings. --- BLADES 6 HURRICANES 3 LETHBRIDGE, Alta.-- Troy Tremblay made 48 saves and Saskatoon scored four times in the third period en route to doubling up the Hurricanes. Mitch Lipon, Dylan Busenius, Ryan Graham and Brett Stovin scored in the third for the Blades (15-37-4), who halted a four-game skid, while Cory Millette and Austin Adamson had the others. Jamal Watson had a pair of goals for Lethbridge (11-39-5) and Tyler Bell scored once. Jonny Hogue turned away 32-of-37 shots for the Hurricanes. --- ROCKETS 4 REBELS 3 CRANBROOK, B.C. -- Jackson Whistle made 32 ssaves as Kelowna held off Red Deer and its attempt for a third-period comeback. John Klingberg Jersey. . Tyrell Goulbourne, Kris Schmidli, Marek Tvrdon and Austin Glover all scored in the first period for the Rockets (43-7-3) before giving up three goals in the final 20 minutes. Aspen Sterzer scored twice for the Rebels (27-23-4), who dropped their fourth game in a row, and Evan Polei had the other. Red Deers Taz Burman allowed two goals on Red Deers first three shots and was pulled at 1:34 of the opening period. Patrik Bartosak stopped 36-of-38 shots in relief. --- THUNDERBIRDS 4 CHIEFS 0 SPOKANE, Wash. -- Taran Kozun stopped 29 shots for his third shutout of the season as Seattle blanked the Chiefs. Justin Hickman scored three times for the Thunderbirds (34-16-5) and Alexander Delnov added the other. Spokanes (31-17-5) Jeremy McIntosh and Dominic Zwerger were each minus-2 while Mike Aviani failed to record a point for the eighth straight game, which is his longest scoring drought of the season. Garret Hughson turned away 29-of-33 shots for the Chiefs. --- HITMEN 7 ROYALS 6 (OT) VICTORIA -- Pavel Padakin scored twice, including the winner, and added an assist as Calgary came from behind to edge the Royals in overtime. Brady Brassart scored once and set up two more for the Hitmen (33-15-6), who trailed 6-3 early in the third period, while Adam Tambellini, Jaynen Rissling, Chase Lang and Mike Winther added the others. Ben Walker had a pair of goals for Victoria (35-16-4) and Steven Hodges, Logan Fisher, Austin Carroll and Axel Blomqvist each scored once. Calgarys Mack Shields made 34 saves for the win as Coleman Vollrath stopped 28-of-35 shots for the Royals. Cheap Heat Jerseys Cheap Bucks Jerseys Cheap Timberwolves Jerseys Cheap Pelicans Jerseys Cheap Knicks Jerseys Cheap Thunder Jerseys Cheap Magic Jerseys Cheap 76ers Jerseys Cheap Suns Jerseys Cheap Blazers Jerseys Cheap Sacramento Kings Jerseys Cheap Spurs Jerseys Cheap Raptors Jerseys Cheap Jazz Jerseys Cheap Wizards Jerseys ' ' '