Jay Haas and Brandel Chamblee each carded nine-under-par rounds of 63 to claim a share of the lead after the first round of the Bob Hope Classic in La Quinta. Eight golfers shared joint third spot, one shot behind in the tournament that runs over five days rather than the usual four. Among them were world number two Phil Mickelson and Jerry Kelly, who won last week's Sony Open in Hawaii.
Seven more players carded a 65 to finish on seven-under, including reigning Rookie of the Year Charles Howell III, 1998 Player of the Year Mark O'Meara and former US Open champion Corey Pavin, while JP Hayes tied the PGA Tour record by making eight consecutive birdies at the Tamarisk Country Club, one of four courses used in the tournament.
Filed by Amanda Fennelly
