US Open Golf 2012 Leaderboard: Standings Heading into Final Round

The leaderboard for the 2012 U.S. Open is loaded with heavy hitters, though Tiger Woods is surprisingly absent after a third-round tank job cost him his spot at the top of the standings.

The Olympic Club played a bit easier for most players on Saturday than it had been playing for the first two rounds, but you can be sure the USGA has some tricks up their sleeve for tomorrow's final round.

Graeme McDowell made a strong charge on the back nine, shooting three under par after a one-over par front nine. He will join Jim Furyk in the final group on Sunday, as both men are one under par to lead the championship.

Furyk managed to keep his game tight and steady playing alongside Woods, who is now tied for 14th place after shooting five over par on the day.

Seventeen-year-old Beau Hossler continued his stellar play on Saturday, surprising me and I'm sure most of America by shooting an even par 70 to stay at three over par for the tournament. He's tied for eighth place, and as crazy as it sounds, Hossler could win the tournament if he has a good round tomorrow.

Ernie Els made a furious charge on the back nine, making eagle on a somewhat lucky pitch-in on hole No. 17 and finishing the day with a round of 68. He joins Lee Westwood and two others at two over par for the tournament.

Here is the way the leaderboard stacks up after three brutal rounds.

Position	Player	Today	Total
T1	Graeme McDowell	-2	-1
T1	Jim Furyk	E	-1
3	Fredrik Jacobson	-2	+1
T4	Lee Westwood	-3	+2
T4	Ernie Els	-2	+2
T4	Blake Adams	E	+2
T4	Nicolas Colsaerts	+1	+2
T8	Webb Simpson	-2	+3
T8	Kevin Chappell	-2	+3
T8	John Senden	-2	+3
T8	Beau Hossler	E	+3
T8	Jason Dufner	E	+3
T8	John Peterson	+2	+3

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