Pat Perez leads Bob Hope Classic

LA QUINTA, Calif., Jan. 21 (UPI) -- Pat Perez flirted with a sub-60 round before settling for an 11-under 61 Wednesday and a one-shot lead after 18 holes of the Bob Hope Classic.

In a tournament that traditionally provides low scoring opportunities, Perez needed just 28 shots to play his first nine holes. He then birdied two of the first three holes on his second nine before making a bogey that derailed his chance to break 60.

He played his round at the PGA West Palmer Course, one of four layouts used for this five-round tournament.

Former Masters champ Mike Weir and long-hitting Bubba Watson shared second at 62, while the group at 63 included Vaughn Taylor, Ben Crane, Briny Baird, David Berganio, Jason Dufner and Richard S. Johnson.

The first two tournaments on the tour this year have been captured by former major championship winners -- Geoff Ogilvy and Zach Johnson. Neither is playing this week, nor is anyone ranked among the top 15 in the world.

Only six players in the 128-man field shot an over-par score Wednesday.