Flawless Hart takes control at Pebble Beach

By Mark Lamport-Stokes

PEBBLE BEACH, California (Reuters) - American Dudley Hart, sidelined for much of last year to care for his sick wife, charged one shot clear early in the third round of the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am on Saturday.

Two strokes off the pace overnight, the 39-year-old from upstate New York birdied three of the last four holes at Spyglass Hill Golf Club for a flawless four-under-par 68.

That left him at nine-under 207, ahead of PGA Tour rookie Dustin Johnson, who eagled the par-four 13th at Pebble Beach on his way to a matching 68 and a tie for second.

Level with Johnson was fellow American Michael Allen, who returned a 71 over the same layout on another glorious day of sunshine and slight breezes on the picturesque Monterey Peninsula.

Hart, whose wife Suzanne had part of her lung removed after being diagnosed with a tumor last May, birdied the par-three third to reach the turn in one-under 35.

After reeling off a string of pars, he holed a 25-footer at the 15th, a 10-footer at the 17th and a 12-footer at the last to grab the outright lead.

"It hasn't been that spectacular but my play has been real solid the last three days," Hart told reporters.

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