GOLF DIGEST:AMERICAN Pat Perez made the most of ideal scoring conditions to forge two strokes clear of the field in record-breaking style at the Bob Hope Classic in Thursdays second round at La Quinta, California .
Having opened with a scintillating 11-under-par 61 on the Palmer Private course at PGA West, Perez followed up with a flawless nine-under 63 on the Jack Nicklaus Private layout.
The 31-year-old piled up nine birdies on another calm, clear day in the California desert to set a PGA Tour record with a 20-under total of 124.
The 32-year-old holed for birdie 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-par 126.
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.
With the impressive start, Perez set a PGA record for the lowest 36-hole score to begin a tournament. He improved on the previous mark by a stroke, a record that was shared by five players including Tiger Woods, who achieved the feat at the 2000 NEC Invitational.
JAPAN’S Ryo Ishikawa will become the second youngest player to appear in The Masters after receiving a special invitation from Augusta National.
He will be 17 years, six months and 23 days when the tournament starts in April. Tommy Jacobs, who played as an amateur in 1952, was five months younger.
“At a young age, Mr Ishikawa has shown the skill and competitiveness to make him a deserving recipient of this invitation,” Augusta chairman Billy Payne said.
“We see this as an opportunity to expose an emerging talent on a world stage and fulfil our objective to grow the game. I am optimistic that his participation in the Masters will inspire younger players and increase interest in golf in Asia and beyond.”
Ishikawa’s victory at the 2007 Munsingwear Open KSB Cup as a 15-year-old amateur made him the youngest winner of a main tour event.
