Kraft leads after second 65

Greg Kraft doesn't need a five-round tournament like the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic to realize there's a long way to go before the winner's check is cut.

He at least stayed in position today for another chance at his first official PGA Tour victory, posting his second straight 7-under 65 on another sun-baked day in the desert for a one-stroke lead through 36 holes.

Kraft, who led in the final round at Doral and in the Colonial last year only to finish second both times, played a bogey-free round at Indian Wells and was at 14-under 130.

"I know 14-under is not going to win," Kraft said. "I have to keep making birdies. I need to play to my strengths and practice on my weaknesses, wait until Sunday and see what I can do and what can happen."

In the Hope Classic, that can mean just about anything -- like a 59, which is what David Duval rung up last year to win on the final day. Despite calm conditions, no one has come close to that.

At least not yet.

Brent Geiberger birdied the last six holes for the best score of the week, an 11-under 61 at Indian Wells. That put him at 13-under, along with Rich Beem and Andrew Magee.

Beem, the former cellular phone salesman who won the Kemper Open last year, had a 63 at PGA West. Magee had a 65 at Indian Wells, the easiest of the four courses in the rotation, and was at 13-under 131.

Through two rounds, the 128 pros have accounted for 1,179 birdies and 34 eagles. Only nine players remain over par, including John Daly and Arnold Palmer, who had a 79 today.

Beem obviously has found the desert much more accommodating than Hawaii, where he was a combined 21-over in six rounds of the Mercedes Championship and Sony Open. Then again, the desert demands low scores just to stay in the hunt.

"Anything in the mid-60s every day keeps you in contention," Magee said.

That wasn't the case for Casey Martin, who struggled again with his putter and bombed an approach over a hospitality suite on the 18th hole of Bermuda Dunes. He managed only an even-par 71 and was 10 strokes back.

"If I can keep hitting it like this and make some putts, I can have a low round," Martin said. "I'm just not putting with a lot of confidence."

One thing he didn't have to worry about today was any tension while playing with Richard Ferris, the chairman of the PGA Tour policy board who testified against Martin two years ago in his federal lawsuit over the right to ride a cart.

"I got a chance to know him and he's a very nice man," Martin said.

After the round, Martin had to call Ferris over to sign the card and a television camera moved in to capture the scene. Martin discreetly moved to the left to block the camera, then rolled his eyes when more cameras moved in for the kill.

"Got to be sure to get this monumental moment," Martin said, as Ferris laughed.

First-round leader David Toms had one of those moments a professional dreads when one of his amateur partners told him, "Wish I could trade my par for your double."

Toms fell out of the lead with a double bogey on No. 13, but scratched out a 68 at Bermuda Dunes and was two strokes back, along with Bob Tway and J.L. Lewis.

Duval had a 67 at La Quinta and was at 9-under 135.

The pros play with three amateurs for the next two days, then have the final round Sunday to themselves at Bermuda Dunes. By then, Kraft may still be around to get rid of the bitter taste from two close calls last year.

At Doral, he needed a par on the 18th hole to get into a playoff. He decided to attack the flag, chunked a 5-iron into the water and was lucky to make bogey for second place alone. Two months later, he had a three-stroke lead at the turn on Sunday until hitting a tree twice for double bogey and failing to give himself a birdie chance on the 18th for a playoff.

"In both events, I wasn't playing my best golf," he said. "It's nice to know I don't have to play perfect to win a golf tournament. I know I have to be patient and hang in there."

He fought back tears at Doral, but the blown chances have served as motivation. Kraft hasn't forgotten the sting of losing, nor does he want to. During the offseason, he spent all but five days working out or working on his game.

"I don't want to let go of that taste," he said. "When I was going to the gym at 5 o'clock every morning, that's what kept me going."

Perhaps he'll find out how far that will take him this week.<

DIVOTS: Nike Golf probably could have chosen better words in announcing which players are using its balls, gloves, apparel and shoes. After boasting about its Course Air Tour shoes, the release says, "Players that will enjoy a comfortable walk this season include Casey Martin, Jeff Sluman ..." ... Now that he has signed a deal with Never Compromise, Martin is trying to get his hands on the right putter. He switched models for the second round, and it didn't do much good. "There will probably be another one tomorrow," he joked. ... Olin Browne has decided to switch from Titleist to Callaway's new ball. ... Andrew Magee isn't about to join the fitness movement led by David Duval, Tiger Woods, Greg Kraft and other. "The only thing I lift is about 12 ounces at a time," he said. ... Kraft is no stranger to winning. He won the Deposit Guaranty Classic in Mississippi in 1993 when it was an unofficial event.

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