Bob Hope Chrysler Classic
Bermuda Dunes Country Club
California
14th -18th January 1998

Prize Money $2.3 million

This is a five-round event (90 holes) is being played on four par-72 courses in Southern California -- the 6,478-yard Indian Wells Country Club, the 6,901-yard La Quinta Country Club, the 6,931-yard PGA West Course and the 6,927-yard Bermuda Dunes Country Club.

Second Round Report

Second Round Scores
First Round Report
First Round Scores

Second 65 gives Lietzke one-shot lead

Bermuda Dunes, California. 15thJanuary, 1998 - Bruce Lietzke who played in just one official PGA event in the last six months, shot his second consecutive 65 today to take a one-shot lead over Andrew Magee in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.

Lietzke, 46, competed in just nine events in 1997, the last at Las Vegas on October.

"I found out a long time ago that I could take 11 or 12 weeks off (from the Tour) and come back and play good golf," Lietzke said. "And I haven't changed my swing for the past 22 or 23 years."

At 14-under for the first two days Lietzke moved a stroke in front of first-round leader Magee, who had a 4-under-par 68 after opening with a 63.

"You're always concerned when you come back from a round like that," Magee said of his 9-under-par the first day. "I was going to be happy with anything under 70, and I'm very pleased with a 68."

David Duval, who finished 1997 by winning his last three tournaments, was a further shot behind on 12-under after a second-round 67 while Stewart Cink also with a 67 moved to 12-under.

Playing at Indian Wells, considered the least difficult of the four courses used for the Hope, Lietzke took five shots off par in a stretch of five holes on his first nine.

Lietzke, beginning the round on the 10th hole, capped his blitz on par by rolling in a 22-foot putt for a eagle on the 18th, a 501-yard par 5, to go to 12-under. He added two more birdies on his second nine.

Lietzke's now plays La Quinta and the Palmer Course at PGA West, the more difficult courses.

In 1981, Lietzke led the Hope from start to finish, going 25-under to beat Jerry Pate by two shots. Lietzke won $50,000.

Bob Tway, Blaine McAllister and P.H. Horgan III are tied three shots off Lietzke's score. Another shot behind are Mark O'Meara, Brad Fabel, Scott Gump, Hal Sutton and Couples.

John Cook, a two-time winner of the Hope and the defending champion, shot a 72 putting him 13 strokes behind Lietzke.

All golfers will play each course once, with the cut coming after Saturday's fourth round. Those who survive the cut will play Bermuda Dunes again on Sunday. First prize is $414,000.