Rose takes Torrey's punches, keeps stranglehold on Farmers lead

SAN DIEGO – Justin Rose is in command of the Farmers Insurance Open. This despite ridding himself of a full sleeve of balls during the third round at Torrey Pines, launching two into the shimmering Pacific and depositing another in the yawning pond that fronts the 18th green.

Such is the level of otherwise surgical precision with which he has brought the burly South Course to its knees.

The world No. 1 is justifying his ranking this week, piling up birdies and eagles on a track where pars are often dearly earned. There are about 70 players in the field who might be wondering whether Rose has simply posted up on the easier North Course, where scores in the mid-60s pop up with regularity. But…