GOLF: Pat Perez continued his impressive form at the Bob Hope Classic in California as he carded another bogey-free round to take a two-shot lead following after the opening two rounds.

Perez followed up a blistering opening 61 with a nine-under-par 63 to move to 20-under and open up a small gap over Briny Baird.

Perez, who never has won on the PGA Tour, reeled off 19 birdies and an eagle in his first two rounds that included a sizzling 28 over his first nine holes on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old made another excellent start yesterday, sinking birdies on five of his first eight holes before adding four more over the second half of his round.

Baird, meanwhile, recorded a hole-in-one on the par-three seventh hole en route to his second straight 63 and help him keep in touch with Perez.

Baird also added eight birdies, including four in a row from the 13th, to claim sole possession of second place at 18-under.

David Berganio was level with Baird before a bogey on his final hole - the ninth - finished off a 64 that left him alone in third, three shots off the pace.

Tom Pernice Jr carded a bogey-free 63 to share fourth with Chris Stroud (63), Richard S. Johnson (65) and Jason Dufner (65) a shot further back.

Brad Adamonis shot the lowest round of the day, signing for a 10-under 62 to move within five shots of the lead. Adamonis made eagles at the fourth and 16th and had a chance to match Perez’s 61 from Wednesday but bogeyed the 18th.

Canadian Mike Weir, the 2003 champion, started the day one shot off the lead after an opening 62 but stumbled to a two-under 70 to fall away.

DJ Trahan, looking to become just the second player to defend this title, carded a 67 and is in a group that includes Weir.

Only Johnny Miller has been able to claim back-to-back titles at the Hope, in 1975 and 1976.

In the past 32 years, only five defending champions have ever posted top-10 finishes in their title defence.