PALM DESERT, California (AFP) - DJ Trahan fired the low round of the day (64) to grab a share of the lead after the second round of the 5.1 million dollar PGA Bob Hope Classic on Thursday.

Trahan is tied with fellow American Robert Gamez at 13-under 131. Gamez shot a seven-under 65 on Thursday.

The 2005 Hope Classic champ Justin Leonard also shot a 64 and is one stroke behind the leaders. Steve Elkington is three strokes behind after carding a 68.

Four different golf courses are used in the Pro-Am format that mixes celebrities and amateurs with professionals.

Trahan saw a big improvement in his putting Thursday.

"I've been working hard on my putter," Trahan said. "I know now this is my fourth year out here and I know that it's been the club that has certainly been holding me back from becoming a better player."

Trahan had 30 putts in the first round and 23 in the second round, carding birdies on his first four holes. He is tied for 12th in the tournament for putts per round.

"I was five-under (Wednesday), but I burned the edge, it must have been six or seven times I burned the edge," Trahan said. "So far, though, it's been a good week. I'm comfortable over putts."

Gamez has more predictable putting stats, making three putts 10 feet or longer in his bogey-free round.

"It was a good solid round altogether," Gamez said.

Gamez is just trying to get his card again. After finishing 132nd on the money list last year, he was given a sponsor's exemption to this event.