Furyk, McDowell share lead

SAN FRANCISCO — Former champions Jim Furyk and Graeme McDowell charged into a share of the lead in the third round of the US Open Saturday, while Tiger Woods slipped down a congested leaderboard but still has a chance to end his major championship drought.

Furyk, the 2003 US Open winner, put himself in contention for a second major title after shooting an even-par 70 to remain at one-under heading into the final day, which has all the makings of a grandstand finish with more than a dozen players within five strokes of the leading pair.

McDowell, who won the 2010 US Open at nearby Pebble Beach, joined the American at the top after capping his impressive round of 68 with a birdie at the 18th at the Olympic Club.

Sweden’s Fredrik Jacobsen also shot a 68 to finish alone in third, two shots behind the leaders, with England’s Lee Westwood (67), Belgian Nicolas Colsaerts (71), American Blake Adams (70) and South Africa’s Ernie Els (68) a shot further back.

John Peterson (72) had a hole-in-one at the 180-yard 13th to join Webb Simpson (68), Jason Dufner (70), Kevin Chappell (68), Australia’s John Senden (68) and teenage amateur Beau Hossler (70) at three-over.

Woods was tied for 14th at four-over following his 75. He had started the day tied for the lead at one-under with Furyk and David Toms, who fell to five-over after a 76.

“I’m definitely still in the ball game,” said Woods. “I’m only five back and that’s certainly doable on this golf course for sure.”

Seven different players had a share of the lead at some stage but it was Furyk and McDowell on top at the end of a riveting day’s golf in northern California.

Furyk rebounded from two early bogeys to birdie the 268-yard seventh hole when he got up and down from a greenside bunker and then birdied the par-4 11th when he drained a 12-foot putt.

He dropped another shot on the 16th but two-putted the par-5 17th to get back in red numbers.

Woods, bidding to win his first major in four years, made a terrible start when he bogeyed four of the first eight holes then finished poorly with bogeys in two of his last three holes.

Els, who won the U.S. Open twice in the mid 1990s, had the huge galleries roaring with excitement when he chipped in for eagle at the 17th after a terrible start to his round with three bogeys in the first five holes.

Fichardt wins Saint-Omer

In France, Darren Fichardt of South Africa shot a 2-over 73 to win the Saint-Omer Open by three strokes Sunday for his third European Tour title.

Fichardt went into the final round with a five-stroke lead and shot his worst round of the tournament to total 5-under 279.

He also won the Sao Paulo Brazil Open in 2001 and the the Qatar Masters in 2003. Gary Lockerbie of England birdied two of the last three holes to shoot a 69 and finish second.

Simon Wakefield of England (72) was third, one stroke behind Lockerbie. No other player who finished the tournament under par because of strong winds.

Wil Besseling of the Netherlands (73), Pelle Edberg of Sweden (72) and English pair Charlie Ford (70) and Adam Gee (72) were at 286. — Agencies