Gamez, Trahan share lead at Hope Classic

PALM DESERT, Calif. -- D.J. Trahan shot an 8-under 64, and Robert Gamez had a 65 on Thursday to tie for the lead after two rounds of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.

Trahan began the day with a string of four birdies and had just one bogey to go to 13-under 131 through 36 holes of the 90-hole tournament.

Gamez turned in a bogey-free round. The co-leaders played at La Quinta Country Club, one of four courses used for the first four rounds.

Justin Leonard, the 2005 champion, had a 64 at La Quinta and was one shot off the pace, with Steve Elkington's 68 at PGA West leaving him another stroke back.

Joe Durant, who set the tournament record of 36-under 324 in 2001, began the second round in a five-way tie for the lead, but had a 73 at SilverRock Resort to drop into a tie for 21st.

The 27-year-old Trahan, beginning his fourth year on the tour, is looking for his second title. He got his first win at the Madison, Miss., event in 2006.

The 39-year-old Gamez, in the Hope on an exemption, is a three-time winner on the tour but doesn't have a victory since 2005. He finished last year at 132nd on the money list with $693,464, far below his best season in 2003, when he earned $1.5 million.

The other four players who held a share of the opening-day lead fell back during the second round. Tim Petrovic had a 70 and was tied for fifth. Omar Uresti (72) Mathew Goggin (73) and Siege Maruyama (76) dropped back into the pack.

Petrovic, Goggin and Maruyama played at SilverRock, being used in the Hope for the first time. Uresti played at La Quinta.

The first four rounds of the tournament are a pro-am, with pros only playing Sunday's final round at the Classic Club.