Hart sets pace with Singh 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 into a share of the lead with Vijay Singh in the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am third round 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, level with 2004 champion Singh who fired a 67 over the same tree-lined layout.

PGA Tour rookie Dustin Johnson holed out from 85 yards to eagle the par-four 13th on the Pebble Beach Golf Links en route to a 68 and a tie for third at seven under with fellow American Michael Allen (71).

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 I've played solid for three days," Hart told reporters after another glorious day of sunshine and slight breezes on the picturesque Monterey Peninsula. "I've putted pretty well and obviously that helps.

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