Some ink from the San Diego Union Tribune
Perez flirts with history, again
T.P. alum settles for 61, 1-stroke lead at Hope
By Tod Leonard - Union-Tribune Staff Writer
LA QUINTA - Pat Perez had two things to celebrate yesterday after the first round of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. He shot an 11-under-par 61 on the Palmer Private Course at PGA West to take sole possession of the lead. And today, he doesn't have to turn around and play the wind tunnel otherwise known as the Classic Club.
For the third time in his six Hope appearances, Perez flirted with the PGA Tour's magic number of 59. The Torrey Pines High grad shot 61 at Bermuda Dunes in 2003, 60 at the Palmer Course in 2006, and yesterday, on a calm and cloudy day, he burst to an 8-under 28 through the back nine holes (his front), only to make a bogey and four birdies on his incoming side to settle for 61.
Fittingly for the fire-at-the-flags Hope, the incredible performance gave Perez only a one-shot lead over former champion Mike Weir and Bubba Watson, both of whom recorded their 62s on the Palmer Course, where David Duval shot a closing 59 in 1999.
Just as he did after his 10-under start through 11 holes in '03, Perez was pondering more than a 59.
"I was thinking 58, for sure," Perez said before ticking off the wayward chances he had on his back nine, including a missed 7-footer for birdie and two missed greens on par-3s.
"Oh yeah, it was there," he said. "I can't believe it. It's the second year in a row now I've been right there and I haven't been able to do it."
Actually, that would be the second appearance in a row, because Perez hasn't been back to the Hope since an infuriating experience in 2006.
That year, he fired an opening 60 on the Palmer Course to take a three-shot lead. The next day, he was first off at the Classic Club, which was serving as host site for the first time. In wind gusts of 30 mph, Perez staggered to a 73, lost his lead to eventual winner Chad Campbell and in the final round shot 78, turning a stupendous start into a maddening 73rd and a check for $9,700.
"That's why I haven't been back in a while," Perez said. "... How the hell can you put a golf course where a thousand windmills are? I hit the first ball (of the second round) in the water, and I literally almost got in the car and drove home."
Of his closing 78, Perez said with a smile: "I was actually going to try to be the first guy ever in a tournament to shoot 60, 70 and 80. I had a chance. I told my caddie, 'Should I hit it in the water (on 18) and make 6 and shoot 80?' You know, I actually hit a good shot, made birdie and shot 78."
With Perez and other players such as Phil Mickelson voicing their frustration with the wind at the Classic Club, it was dropped permanently from the four-course rotation after last year. It has been replaced by the Nicklaus Private Course, which is next door to the Palmer at PGA West. Perez will tackle it today.
"I've played there twice," he said. "I think it's awesome."
Perez, 32, says the Palmer Course is one of his favorites on tour, and with the field returning there Sunday, it's a huge boost for a player who has yet to win in seven full seasons.
"The (back nine) is my favorite nine holes in golf," Perez said. "The way it winds in and out of the mountain, I just think it's awesome."
His confidence showed yesterday. Starting on the 10th, he birdied six of the first seven holes, and nearly holed out an ace at the 15th, the ball settling 8 inches from the cup. Perez made a 7-foot eagle putt at No. 9, and for the round, his putts for his 10 birdies and one eagle totaled only 66 feet.
T.P. alum settles for 61, 1-stroke lead at Hope
By Tod Leonard - Union-Tribune Staff Writer
LA QUINTA - Pat Perez had two things to celebrate yesterday after the first round of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. He shot an 11-under-par 61 on the Palmer Private Course at PGA West to take sole possession of the lead. And today, he doesn't have to turn around and play the wind tunnel otherwise known as the Classic Club.For the third time in his six Hope appearances, Perez flirted with the PGA Tour's magic number of 59. The Torrey Pines High grad shot 61 at Bermuda Dunes in 2003, 60 at the Palmer Course in 2006, and yesterday, on a calm and cloudy day, he burst to an 8-under 28 through the back nine holes (his front), only to make a bogey and four birdies on his incoming side to settle for 61.
Fittingly for the fire-at-the-flags Hope, the incredible performance gave Perez only a one-shot lead over former champion Mike Weir and Bubba Watson, both of whom recorded their 62s on the Palmer Course, where David Duval shot a closing 59 in 1999.
Just as he did after his 10-under start through 11 holes in '03, Perez was pondering more than a 59.
"I was thinking 58, for sure," Perez said before ticking off the wayward chances he had on his back nine, including a missed 7-footer for birdie and two missed greens on par-3s.
"Oh yeah, it was there," he said. "I can't believe it. It's the second year in a row now I've been right there and I haven't been able to do it."
Actually, that would be the second appearance in a row, because Perez hasn't been back to the Hope since an infuriating experience in 2006.
That year, he fired an opening 60 on the Palmer Course to take a three-shot lead. The next day, he was first off at the Classic Club, which was serving as host site for the first time. In wind gusts of 30 mph, Perez staggered to a 73, lost his lead to eventual winner Chad Campbell and in the final round shot 78, turning a stupendous start into a maddening 73rd and a check for $9,700.
"That's why I haven't been back in a while," Perez said. "... How the hell can you put a golf course where a thousand windmills are? I hit the first ball (of the second round) in the water, and I literally almost got in the car and drove home."
Of his closing 78, Perez said with a smile: "I was actually going to try to be the first guy ever in a tournament to shoot 60, 70 and 80. I had a chance. I told my caddie, 'Should I hit it in the water (on 18) and make 6 and shoot 80?' You know, I actually hit a good shot, made birdie and shot 78."
With Perez and other players such as Phil Mickelson voicing their frustration with the wind at the Classic Club, it was dropped permanently from the four-course rotation after last year. It has been replaced by the Nicklaus Private Course, which is next door to the Palmer at PGA West. Perez will tackle it today.
"I've played there twice," he said. "I think it's awesome."
Perez, 32, says the Palmer Course is one of his favorites on tour, and with the field returning there Sunday, it's a huge boost for a player who has yet to win in seven full seasons.
"The (back nine) is my favorite nine holes in golf," Perez said. "The way it winds in and out of the mountain, I just think it's awesome."
His confidence showed yesterday. Starting on the 10th, he birdied six of the first seven holes, and nearly holed out an ace at the 15th, the ball settling 8 inches from the cup. Perez made a 7-foot eagle putt at No. 9, and for the round, his putts for his 10 birdies and one eagle totaled only 66 feet.
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