U.S. Open 2012 Standings: Day 4 Highlights, Winner and Twitter Reaction

The 2012 U.S. Open is going to come down to which player can survive the brutal Olympic Club and not which one can dominate it. That is the way it should be at the open.

UPDATE: Sunday, June 17 at 10:47 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford

Here is the US Open's final leaderboard.

POS	PLAYER	Score
1	W. Simpson	+1
T2	G. McDowell	+2
T2	M. Thompson	+2
T5	J. Furyk	+3
T5	J. Dufner	+3
T5	P. Harrington	+3
T5	D. Toms	+3
T5	J. Peterson	+3
9	E. Els	+4

Webb Simpson's second career US Open appearance resulted in victory. He played expertly in this year's final stanza, and Graeme McDowell's comeback fell just short on the 18th hole. 

Golf has certainly changed with Tiger Woods ruling with an iron fist. This tweet from ESPN Stats & Info sums it up now that we're aware of this tournament's conclusion.

"

If Webb Simpson wins, he'd fit the recent trend: Would be 9th straight 1st-time major champion & 15th different winner in last 15 majors.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 18, 2012"

Simpson's victory was sweet. Now, he must find a way to ride that momentum into golf's next Major stage.

UPDATE: Sunday, June 17 at 9:47 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford

The leaderboard has shuffled again with US Open play winding down. Webb Simpson has caught Jim Furyk, and it's well deserved.

Simpson has played a nearly flawless round. 

A final update with tournament results is on its way shortly, but this piece promises exciting Twitter tidbits. I found this from CNBC's Darren Rovell.

"

Amateur Beau Hossler will give up about $50,000 because of his amateur status.

— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) June 18, 2012"

 Hossler has been the media darling over the past few days. The amateur has struggled today (+6), but his performance is admirable for a 17-year-old amateur.

Anyone interested in payouts may find that one interesting.

UPDATE: Sunday, June 17 at 9:20 p.m. ET by Ian Hanford

The US Open leaderboard has changed a bit since our last update. Jim Furyk no longer holds a slim lead. Webb Simpson continues to keep the pressure on.

Graeme McDowell has also regained his form after some mid-round struggles. He is currently tied for second at two-over par. 

Michael Thompson shot a 67 today. He is currently tied for Ernie Els for third place, but Els still has room to improve on the final holes of the day. 

The tournament has been exciting without a doubt. A playoff could happen. One twitter fan gave his thoughts on the idea of a playoff on Monday.

"

Without being at Olympic Club, I am confident there are #golf writers who would cheer for Satan to avoid Monday Open playoff.

— Tim Sullivan (@TimSullivan714) June 18, 2012"

Stay tuned for the US Open's waning moments, right here.

UPDATE: Sunday, June 17 at 8:10 p.m. ET

The leaderboard (view here) is getting flipped around now. Graeme McDowell is losing strokes left and right and is in third place at two-over. 

Jim Furyk is hanging in there, but looking increasingly shaky. He still has the lead and sits at even. He now has just a one-stroke lead though, as Webb Simpson is scoring on this course like few thought anyone would be able to. 

Simpson was two-over for the day after five holes. He then birdied four of his next five, and followed that stretch with a par on 11. This leaves him at one-over. 

Simpson is draining every putt he looks at right now, and it has led to this golf fan calling for a change in the rules.

"

Webb Simpson using a belly putter which should be illegal, makes par on #11.

— Kenny Hassan (@KennyWFDLive) June 18, 2012"

Simpson isn't the only one making waves. Michael Thompson caught fire and he just finished his round at three-under for the day. This makes him the clubhouse leader at two-over, and the way these guys are dropping strokes, he is certainly not out of it. 

UPDATE: Sunday, June 17 at 7:12 p.m. ET

There is a Cypress tree on No. 5 at the course that obviously has some kind of deep hatred for the name Lee. 

Lee Westwood teed off on No. 5 at two over, in third place and just three shots back of the leaders. Then his ball never came down. This caused a lost ball penalty for Westwood and he had to re-tee. He double-bogeyed the hole, and he has to agree with Golfweek's Alistair Tait:

"

If I was Lee Westwood I might think the golf gods have something against me winning a major! #USOpen

— Alistair Tait (@GolfweekTait) June 17, 2012"

This turn of events is hard to fathom. I've hit into a lot of trees in my golfing career and not once has the ball ever not come down, but that is the way it goes with this particularly hateful tree. Check this out:

"

Westwood's ball is declared lost in the same tree Lee Janzen's ball was stuck in during the 1998 U.S. Open. The Lee Tree (via @Drewzer_17)?

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 17, 2012"

The tree obviously regretted not being able to hang onto to Janzen's ball, which helped him come from behind and win that tournament. It has now atoned.  

--------- end of update -------------

As I type, the leaders—Jim Furyk and Graeme McDowell—have just teed off. There isn't a lot of change on the leaderboard yet, but a few players have taken them out of contention—like a certain Mr. Tiger Woods. 

Woods is five over through five holes, and is now nine over for the tournament. One player that is keeping himself right in the thick of the hunt is 17-year-old Beau Hossler. 

Hossler has yet to hit a green in regulation, but he is just one over par through four holes, which leaves him at four over for the tournament. A solid start on the brutal opening six of the course. 

The contrast between the two performances of players on vastly different ends of their career and accomplishments spectrum is stunning. Golf Channel's Gary Williams agrees.

"

Kid with an orthodontist appointment Tuesday is 5 clear of Tiger Woods, Sunday at Open.I'll be back, gonna take a spin on my flying monkey.

— Gary Williams (@garywilliamsGC) June 17, 2012"

As the leader hit the course, I will say that I like McDowell to take the 2012 U.S. Open trophy, and that will put him in some extremely exclusive company. ESPN tweeted this stat:

"

Today, @Graeme_McDowell is aiming to become just the 4th different player since 1950 to win 2 U.S. Open titles in a 3-year span.

— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 17, 2012"

Check back, as we'll be updating this page as the final round unfolds.