Allenby fires 63, claims Hope lead

PALM DESERT, Calif. -- Robert Allenby got the benefit of a late-morning tee time and went on a birdie binge in the afternoon Wednesday on the way to a 9-under 63 and a two-shot lead in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.

Mark Calcavecchia and Craig Kanada were tied for second at 65.

Phil Mickelson made his 2007 debut with a 70, and defending champion Chad Campbell also had a 70.

The leaderboard initially had Allenby finishing at 12-under, but the volunteer tracking his score had done his math wrong. Allenby did his correctly on his official scorecard.

After the start was delayed anywhere from half an hour to an hour because of frost on each of the four courses used for the tournament, Allenby began his round at La Quinta Country Club around 11 a.m., an hour later than scheduled. His putter, which he had forgotten in his hotel room but had time to retrieve because of the frost delay, carried him.

-- The Associated Press