FARMERS INSURANCE OPEN

FARMERS INSURANCE OPEN

Rose has three-shot lead at Torrey Pines

SAN DIEGO

Justin Rose had three penalties and still kept a three-shot lead Saturday with a 3-under 69 at the Farmers Insurance Open.

Rose had six birdies and an eagle on another pristine day along the Pacific Ocean, a big reason why scores have been so low this week on a South course that will host another U.S. Open in two years. When he two-putted from 12 feet for eagle on the par-5 13th, Rose led by six shots.

And then he pulled his shot from a fairway bunker into the hazard for a double bogey, his second of the round. And torn between laying up with an 8-iron or going for the green on the par-5 18th, Rose hit a 3-wood heavy from the first cut and went into the water, closing with a bogey.

That dropped his lead to three shots over Adam Scott, who birdied his last hole for a 65.

He still tied the 54-hole tournament record at 18-under 198.

Jon Rahm had a 68 and was four shots behind, followed by 22-year-old Doug Ghim, the former No. 1 amateur playing this week on a sponsor’s exemption. Ghim shot a 67.

Tiger Woods had the biggest gallery and didn’t make much noise. Woods birdied three of his last five holes to salvage a 71, leaving him 13 shots behind and in search of moral victories in his 2019 debut.

He was at 5-under 211.

“I think if I can get to double digits (under par), it would be just a nice way to end the week,” Woods said. “I’ve got to play a little better than I have.”

DUBAI DESERT CLASSIC

DeChambeau leads, but is still unhappy

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates

Bryson DeChambeau removed his cap, brushed his hand through his hair and shook his head after tapping in for a regulation par at the last hole.

The American golfer is leading the Dubai Desert Classic after three rounds and closing in on his first victory overseas, but he’s still not happy.

“Man, I’m just not 100 percent with my golf game right now,” DeChambeau said after his 4-under 68 in the third round Saturday, which gave him a one-shot lead over defending champion Li Haotong of China.

Pity his rivals if DeChambeau does get his game back in shape.

Seeking a fourth win from his last nine starts worldwide, the fifth-ranked DeChambeau has shot rounds of 66, 66 and 68 this week and come off the course frustrated every day.

Three players who know how to win are leading the chase in the second leg of the so-called “Gulf Swing” on the European Tour.

Li shot a third straight 67 and is the nearest challenger to DeChambeau as he looks for back-to-back titles in Dubai.

Two shots further back are 49-year-old Ernie Els (70), a three-time champion here, and Matt Wallace (69), a three-time winner on tour just last year.

Associated Press