LA QUINTA, Calif. Fred Funk, whose short, accurate game is well-suited to the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, shot a 6-under-par 66 today to stay in front, with some imposing players in hot pursuit.

John Daly and David Duval were among those within striking distance of the lead.

Funk, who began the third round of the five-day tournament with a two-shot lead, went to 17-under.

Steve Pate's 64 put him alone in second, one shot behind.

It was another shot back to Daly, who recently took himself off antidepressant medication he believes was draining his energy. Daly shot his second consecutive 66 to tie Tom Pernice, who also shot 66, in third.

Duval began making a move with a 64 that pulled him within six shots of the lead with 36 holes remaining. He had begun the Hope quietly, shooting 70 and 71 the first two days.

Duval, who won four times in 1998 on his way to setting an earnings record of $2,591,031, began this season with a victory in the Mercedes Championships, then took a break to go skiing before coming back for the Hope.

Also in the mix near the top of the leader board were Bob Estes, with a 65 that put him 12-under, and Scott Verplank, who had a 67 to tie Duval for sixth.

Daly, a long hitter who usually doesn't play well on tight courses like the four layouts being used for the Hope, wasn't surprised that Funk was in front.

"He hits it far enough, he hits it very straight and he is a super, super iron player and has a great short game," Daly said. "You put that combination together, that's why he is so consistent year in and year out."

Daly's last win came in the 1995 Open, a time when he also had quit taking antidepressants.

"I think I am due," he said of his victory drought. "I really feel that if I keep working this way I am hoping to win this year."

Funk, a late bloomer who didn't make it onto the tour full time until he was 32, is looking for his sixth career title. He won once last year and earned $1,121,988, by far his best money year.

"My expectations are to try to improve each year and so far I have been able to do it," said Funk, 42. "There is no question that I'm a late bloomer. I was 32 before I got out here and I wasn't that good when I was in my 20s. As a college player (at Maryland) and as a junior player, I just wasn't that good.

"The weakness of my game is that I don't hit it that far," the 5-foot-8, 165-pounder added. "But I have to give myself a lot of opportunities and hope my putter is working, and I have been able to do that.

"The big hurdle for me was to realise that when my game is good, it is good enough to win."

DIVOTS: Conditions were ideal again Friday, a day after gusting wind delayed the start of the second round for an hour and plagued the golfers most of that round. ... Pate and Pernice were team-mates at UCLA in the mid 1980s, along with Corey Pavin. Then in Pernice's senior year, Duffy Waldorf and Jay Delsing joined the Bruins' squad. So how many NCAA titles did all those future PGA players produce? None. "Actually, they won one after we all left," Pernice said. ... Jonathan Kaye, not exactly a model of consistency the first three days, set a Tamarisk Country Club record with his 10-under-par 62 for the third round. Kaye shot a 64 the first day and an 83 the second.