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Bob Hope Chrysler Classic: Round 1 Report

The event, which is played over four courses consists of pro-am play for the first 72 holes, with each golfer playing with three amateurs until Sunday when the top 70 professionals and ties move to the PGA West Course (Arnold Palmer Private Course). The other courses played will be Indian Wells Country Club, LaQuinta Country Club and Bermuda Dunes.

With a one-shot advantage over seven other golfers, Harrison Frazar takes an early lead. He finished round one with nine-under 63 on a day where 128 golfers broke par.

In second place are Mark Calcavecchia, Jeff Maggert, Cameron Beckman, Tom Pernice Jr, Glen Day, Kevin Sutherland and Stephen Ames.

The defending champion, Swede Jesper Parnevik, had to withdraw late in the day, to be with his family for the birth of his fourth child.

"I wanted so much to defend my title in the desert," Parnevik said. "I just love it out there. Ever since I went to Tour School in La Quinta, I've been in love with the place.

"We really thought the baby was going to be born last Saturday, but it was a false alarm. It is so close now, it could happen at any moment. I have been with my wife at the birth of my first three children, and it is very important for me to be there for the birth of the fourth one."

Other withdrawals includ Vijay Singh, Davis Love III, Ernis Else and Phil Mickleson.

This leaves Duval, the 1999 champion, as one of the leading players. However the world number 4 has ongoing back problems and has missed the cut in his last two events. Hal Sutton, currently world number 10, seems favourite, but he also has back problems.

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