Perez sets PGA Tour 36-hole record

LA QUINTA, Calif., Jan. 22 (UPI) -- Pat Perez produced the lowest 36-hole total in PGA Tour history Thursday and maintained the lead by two shots at the Bob Hope Classic in La Quinta, Calif.

Perez, who has never won on the tour, eclipsed a record set by Tiger Woods and highlighted another day of low scoring in the California desert. He shot a 9-under 63 at the PGA West Nicklaus Course for a two-round total of 124 -- breaking the 36-hole record of 125 set by Woods at the NEC Invitational in 2000 and equaled since then by Mark Calcavecchia, Tom Lehman, Corey Pavin and Carl Pettersson.

The all-time record for most scores of 63 or better in one day was equaled Wednesday when nine such rounds were turned in. Eight more were posted Thursday in what could become the lowest scoring tournament of all time.

"It's nice. It means you can get hot for two days," Perez said. "I would like to have all kind of records at the end of the week. Two days is nice, but I would really love to be sitting here late Sunday. So that's the goal."

The 124 by Perez also equals the all-time tour record for lowest consecutive rounds at any stage of a tournament. Calcavecchia totaled 124 during the second and third rounds of the Phoenix Open in 2001.

Perez needs to shoot a 64 or better Friday to break the 54-hole record currently held by Calcavecchia, John Cook and Tommy Armour III.

With three days left in the pro-am event, Briny Baird was alone in second at 126 after his second straight 63. David Berganio Jr. was third at 127 and there was a fourth-place tie at 128 among Richard S. Johnson, Jason Dufner, Tom Pernice and Chris Stroud.