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Durant, Petrovic Among Hope Leaders

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The Associated Press

Published: January 17, 2008

PALM DESERT, Calif. - Former champion Joe Durant had a pair of eagles on his way to a 7-under 65 and a share of the first-round lead Wednesday in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.

There was a logjam at the top, with five players tied for the lead and seven others just one shot behind.
Tim Petrovic of Dade City, Mathew Goggin, Siege Maruyama, and Omar Uresti also opened with 65s. Among those one stroke off the pace were Kenny Perry, Lee Jansen, Robert Gamez and Steve Elkington.

Petrovic had just one bogey during his round, two holes after he and his amateur playing partners had a long wait to tee off at the turn.

They began the day on No. 10, and there were four groups bunched ahead of them when they got to the No. 1 tee.

He shot 31 in his first nine holes.

"And then we had halftime," Petrovic joked. "Let's see, the Super Bowl halftime is 20 minutes and ours was about 40 minutes."

So he took a break in the clubhouse, read the newspaper and "Sat on the porch and waited for the four groups to tee off and then we were ready to go the second nine."

He parred No. 1, had his bogey on No. 2, and went to finish his final nine holes with a 34.

Four of the leaders played at the Classic Club, and Uresti played at PGA West.

The first four days of the Hope are a pro-am played at four courses. Sunday's final round, with the 70 low-scoring pros and ties, will be at the Classic Club.

Durant, who won the 2001 Hope in record fashion, had a pair of eagles on the opening day of the 90-hole tournament this time.

Defending champion Charley Hoffman shot a 68. He played at SilverRock Resort, a course being used in the Hope for the first time.

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