Golf:Alex Prugh became the third different leader of the Bob Hope Classic in as many rounds as he shot a seven-under 65 in Palm Springs, California.
A bogey at the penultimate hole denied second-round leader Bubba Watson a tie for the lead with fellow American Prugh in the 90-hole tournament, which will conclude tomorrow following the loss of a complete day’s play on Thursday.
Prugh’s bogey-free 65, which gave him the lead at 21 under par, came at La Quinta, which is considered one of the more challenging of the four par-72 courses in play at this PGA Tour pro-am event.
Watson had on Wednesday opened with a 66 at La Quinta and on Friday he shot a 10-under 62 at SilverRock the other more difficult course, but the Palmer course at PGA West left him cursing a bogey at the par-three 17th that was the only blemish in a solid round of 68.
Watson is tied for second with PGA Tour rookie Martin Flores, who’s 65 at SilverRock took him to 20 under, one stroke behind Prugh.
Another American, Joe Ogilvie, also carded a 68 at SilverRock to move into fourth place on 17 under with South Africa’s Tim Clark a further shot in arrears after a 67, in a tie for fifth with Chad Collins and Bill Haas.
Sweden’s Richard S Johnson is the leading European at 13 under following a 65 at La Quinta with compatriot Fredrik Jacobson on 11 under after a 68 at the same course.
England’s Justin Rose shot a 69 at the Nicklaus course at PGA West to get to 10 under with a 70 from Greg Owen sending the Englishman down the leaderboard at seven under.
Londoner Brian Davis fired a 69 at Nicklaus to move to four under while Scotland’s Martin Laird shot a 70 at La Quinta to finish at level par for the tournament.