If U.S. Open leaders falter, major champ Oosthuizen sitting pretty

— -- UNIVERSITY PLACE, Wash. -- Louis Oosthuizen was in the trio of disaster for the opening round of the U.S. Open.

The 32-year-old South African shot a 7-over 77. That was the best of the bunch. Tiger Woods shot 80 and Rickie Fowler an 81 on Thursday at Chambers Bay.

Things got worse after the first two holes Friday.

"Being 9-over through 20 holes, it looked like I would have been back [home] in Florida [having missed the cut]," Oosthuizen said. "I didn't give myself much chance."

About 26 hours later, Oosthuizen was tied for fifth at 1-under and in contention for the championship after three rounds. Back-to-back rounds of 66 have him behind only four golfers, who happen to be the co-leaders at 4-under:  Jason Day, Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and fellow South African Branden Grace.

"I made a few putts [Friday] and started hitting the ball really well," said Oosthuizen, the 2010 Open Championship winner. "Today, I hit it really close on a lot of holes. This probably could have been a lot lower."

Oosthuizen struggled with his putts at times on the difficult greens, including missing a 4-footer for birdie on No. 18 Saturday.

"It's a challenge to make a lot of putts on these greens," he said. "The greens are so firm now, so you need to work the slopes on the greens to get it close. I did that today."