GOLF/Bob Hope Classic: Joe Ogilvie carded a six under par 66 to open athree shots lead on 23 under par early in the third round of the Bob Hope Classic at the PGA West-Palmer course, La Quinta, California.

Starting at the 10th Oglivie's first bridie arrived at the 12th before running in five in a row from the 15th to turn in five under par 31.

His only blemish on the card was a bogey six at the fourth but birdies at the first and ninth brought him home in 35 for a three round total of 193 to set the target in the clubhouse.

Out on the course Peter Lonard was also hitting the birdie trail and at seven under after 15 holes had moved into second place on 20 under par with Fredrik Jacobsen on 19 under after 17 holes.

Ogilvie started the day with a three shots lead after a nine under par 63 in the second round to move to 17-under-par 127.

Ogilvie's 36 holes score was just one shot off the tournament record of 126 set by Joe Durant in 2001. Ogilvie closed his second round with an eagle from 15 feet at the par-five, 18th, his third eagle in the first two days.

For the day, the Austin, Texas resident hit 15 of 18 greens in regulation and had 25 putts.

This was only the second time in his career that Ogilvie has held the 36-hole lead.

The only other time he led after two rounds was at the 2001 Canon Greater Hartford Open, where he shot rounds of 68-64. The Duke University grad eventually tied for 17th place.

Leading Second Round Scores

(USA unless stated)

127 - J Ogilvie 64 63

130 - P Mickelson 66 64.

131 - F Couples 65 66, R Damron 64 67.

132 - T Purdy 64 68, J Durant 66 66.

135 - L Roberts 68 67.

136 - T Clark (SA) 70 66, S Cink 68 68, C Riley 70 66.

137 - K Sutherland 68 69, A Magee 68 69.