D.J. Trahan birdied his first four holes en route to a tie for the lead with fellow American Robert Gamez in the Bob Hope Classic second round.

Trahan shrugged off blustery conditions to fire a sparkling eight-under-par 64 at the SilverRock Resort layout, one of four venues hosting the 90-hole pro-am celebrity event.

Gamez, a three-times winner on the US Tour, carded a bogey-free 65 at La Quinta Country Club to join Trahan at 13-under 131 in the third event of the season.

American Justin Leonard, the 2005 champion, finished birdie-birdie at La Quinta for a 64 and third place at 12 under, two ahead of Australian Steve Elkington who returned a 68 on the Palmer Course at PGA West.

US Ryder Cup player Scott Verplank was among a group of six players bunched at nine under after shooting a 65 at the hosting Classic Club.

Trahan, whose only US Tour victory came at the 2006 Southern Farm Bureau Classic, was delighted with his round.

"It was definitely a little bit tough today with the wind blowing but four birdies to start the day, what more could you ask for?" the 27-year-old said.

"I actually missed a short one for birdie on the 14th hole (his fifth) to really get off well. But I was very pleased with a round like that in those conditions."

Trahan, who turned professional in 2003, missed the cut in his two previous appearances at the Bob Hope Classic but relishes playing in the pro-am format.

"The format doesn't bother me," he said after piling up nine birdies and a lone bogey. "I feel like I am a pretty personable person and I enjoy talking with my playing partners while still focusing and playing good golf.

"I feel comfortable playing with amateurs and chatting and helping them out, maybe reading putts or whatever.

"The fact that we play four different courses certainly makes things a little bit more difficult because you never really feel like you're getting comfortable with any one course."

Gamez, bidding for his fourth US PGA Tour title after finishing outside the top 125 on last year's money list, was elated after recording one of only five bogey-free rounds on a day when the winds gusted up to 35 kph.

"I played well tee to green and when I did miss a shot, I kind of got a couple of good breaks," the 39-year-old said.

"It was a good, solid round of golf and I made some putts. The wind was swirling through the trees and it was hard to really get an idea most of the time. You would feel it going one way and then it would switch a little bit."

Leonard, who won the most recent of his 11 US PGA Tour titles at last year's Texas Open, was also in upbeat mood after contending with winds gusting up to 35 kph.

"I hit the ball very well and the greens are so good here you can't help but make a few putts. I just happened to make my share today," he said after taking only 26 putts.

"It was a very solid day all-round. I've always enjoyed coming and playing at the Hope. It's a great place early in the year to get some rust off and it's a relaxed atmosphere."

A special bonus for Leonard, winner of the 1997 Open at Royal Troon, was playing in the company of rock stars Alice Cooper and Meat Loaf.

"I have played with Alice a couple of times and he's a really nice guy, very laid-back and a good golfer," Leonard said.

"And Meat Loaf couldn't be a sweeter guy. He struggled a little bit with his game today but he made a great par on the last hole. It was fun to be there today."

Long-haired Charley Hoffman, who won last year's title in a play-off with fellow American John Rollins, carded a 72 at La Quinta to slip back into a tie for 34th at four under, level with Canada's Mike Weir, the 2003 champion, who shot a 70.

Big-hitting John Daly was a further stroke back after returning a 70, his first bogey-free round on the US Tour in three years while former world number one David Duval battled to a 77 and second-last spot at six over.

Reuters