Rose has lead as back 9 awaits at Pebble Beach

The fading light was enough for Justin Rose to see his final shot find the 10th fairway at Pebble Beach, and that was enough for him to call it a day.

He was 9 under in the 19 holes he played over two courses in wind, rain, hail and sunshine at the weather-delayed Pebble Beach Pro-am. He went from middle of the pack to a two-shot lead Sunday evening when it was too dark to continue.

Rose was to return Monday morning to finish the back nine in pursuit of his first victory in four years.

“A two-shot lead is great,”

Rose said. “Normally, you sleep on a two-shot lead, there’s 18 holes to play, tons can happen in 18 holes. Now there’s eight holes to play. Less can happen in eight holes, but still … I’ve still got to come out and do a job tomorrow.”

Rose, who completed his third round with a 6-under 65 at Monterey Peninsula in the morning for a one-shot lead, was at 15 under when the final round was stopped as the sun dipped behind the Pacific horizon.

Denny Mccarthy also played Monterey Peninsula in the morning, making eight pars and one bogey on the front nine that left him frustrated at six shots back. A change of venue, and a quick call with his sports psychologist, changed everything.

Mccarthy shot 29 on the front nine at Pebble Beach with a favorable wind to soar into contention. He chose to continue the 16th hole after the horn sounded, hitting his approach to 15 feet and then choosing to mark his ball and stop for the night.

He was at 13 under, along with Brendon Todd (through 12 holes) and Peter Malnati, who was in the final group with Rose.

“It was pretty gettable early. I just happened to get it,” Mccarthy said.

Rose was around the middle of the pack when he returned to Monterey Peninsula on Sunday morning to resume the third round. It was his golf ball blowing some 4 feet on the ninth green that led officials to stop play a day earlier.

The toughest stretch for Rose could await Monday. The final stretch of holes has proven the most difficult, with six of the final seven holes ranked among the eight hardest for the final round.

Taylor Pendrith was among 20 players who finished. He went out in 31 and played bogey-free for a 64 to post at 12-under 275. That was three shots behind Rose, but worth sticking around to see how it unfolded.