PALM DESERT, Calif., Jan. 17 (UPI) -- Robert Allenby turned in a 9-under-par 63 Wednesday for a two-stroke lead after one round of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in Palm Desert, Calif.
The tournament, played on four courses, is the sole 90-hole event on the PGA calendar. Touring pros are paired with amateurs for the first four days before the cut is made.
Allenby, playing La Quinta, is two strokes ahead of Mark Calcavecchia, whose 65 came at The Classic Course, and Craig Kanada, who shot 65 at Bermuda Dunes. Eight golfers turned in rounds of 64 and are tied for fourth.
Allenby, starting on La Quinta's back nine, had birdies on four of six holes from Nos. 11 through 16, and beat par at No. 1 to get to 5-under. He carded consecutive birdies on Nos. 5 and 6 and closed by dropping 25-foot birdie putts on both 8 and 9.
Phil Mickelson, also at La Quinta, made his 2007 tour debut Wednesday and lost three strokes to par in the first four holes. He had two bogeys, a double-bogey and three birdies on the front nine, but strung four birdies together on Nos. 10-13. A bogey at 14 and four pars left him at two-under 70 for the first round.
