Perry grabs lead at Hope Classic

LA QUINTA, Calif. -- Kenny Perry is in his prime two decades after making his tour debut.

Perry shot a 6-under 66 Thursday to go to 14 under and take the second-round lead in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.

Phil Mickelson, playing his first tournament of the year after a disappointing 2003 season, had another good round, a 63 that left him one shot behind Perry.

Mickelson was the 2002 Hope champion, and Perry took the title in 1995 in the 90-hole event.

Kirk Triplett had a 65 and Skip Kendall a 68 and were tied with Mickelson at 13-under 131.

Perry, 43, is coming off his best year, with three victories, 11 finishes in the top 10, and $4.4 million to rank sixth on the earnings list.

"I've just gotten better," said Perry, who has won seven times in his career. "I just understand how to play. I understand my golf game. I'm not as rattled as I used to be, and I'm not as angry on the golf course as I used to be.

"I used to always get frustrated trying to make things happen. I'm just letting it happen instead of trying to force it now. You just have to be patient and try not to make the big mistake."

Patience helped him move into the Hope lead on a day when he wasn't hitting the ball straight.

"It was probably the best round I've ever played for as poor as I hit the ball," he said. "I kept hitting everything to the right. Thank goodness the mental side of my game was good."

Beginning the second round on the back nine at PGA West, he was just even par for the day when he curled in a tricky 8-foot birdie putt on No. 18.

That started him rolling.

Making a series of putts from 6-8 feet after the turn, he had five birdies and no bogeys on the front nine.