US Open Golf Standings 2012: Matt Kuchar and Stars Poised for Solid 3rd Round

Matt Kuchar is one player who will rise up the leaderboard in Round 3 of the 2012 US Open at the Olympic Club.

Now that players have gone through the course two times, they understand which holes are the toughest and will make adjustments to improve on them. This should result in several players improving their scores on Saturday.

Let's look at three players poised to rise up the leaderboard in Round 3.

K.J. Choi

K.J. Choi was one of the few players near the top of the leaderboard to shoot even or better in the second round, and will start Saturday tied in ninth place at three-over par.

Choi improved greatly on Friday after a sub-par first round, and is someone who doesn't often beat himself with foolish mistakes. He hit the ball well off the tee on Friday and also putted pretty well.

If Choi can improve on his second round performance on Saturday, he will put himself in good position to make a run for the championship.

Sergio Garcia

Sergio Garcia is one of the veterans on the PGA Tour and is always a threat to climb the leaderboard given his great talent.

The Spaniard will start the third round at four-over par, just five shots back of Tiger Woods and the rest of the leaders at one-under.

Garcia had two birdies and just one bogey on the back nine Friday, and was able to build up some confidence heading into round three. Expect Garcia to be a contender by the end of the day.

Matt Kuchar

Matt Kuchar was a popular pick by many to win the tournament, but a double bogey on the first hole Friday was just the beginning of a poor second round.

Expect Kuchar to improve greatly and make his climb up the leaderboard. Much of Kuchar's success has come in the back nine during both of the first two rounds, where he is even after two rounds. He will need to be solid on the back nine again to put pressure on the leaders Saturday.

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