PALM SPRINGS, Calif., Jan. 18 (UPI) -- Pat Perez carded a 12-under-par 60 Wednesday to take a three-stroke lead after the first round of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic at Palm Springs, Calif.
It was the 20th score of 60 or better in PGA Tour history. Perez, 29, is a former Nationwide Tour winner and has never won a PGA event.
Elsewhere on the opening day of the five-day event, Chad Campbell stands alone in second place at 9-under 63; Steve Elkington is third at 8-under 64; and John Huston, Olin Browne and Tom Pernice Jr. are tied for fourth place at 7-under 65.
World No. 5 Phil Mickelson, the highest-ranked player in the field, shot 6-under 66 and is tied for seventh place with Lucas Glover, John Ogilvie and Patrick Sheehan.
This is the first event Mickelson has played in 2006.
The tournament is being played on three different courses.
