Ogilvie flies like eagle at Hope

Joe Ogilvie figured there would be some awfully low scores in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic at La Quinta, Calif.

"I'm just surprised that I did it," Ogilvie said. "You look at the history of golf; I don't think I'm going to be in any encyclopedias of golf."

Ogilvie crafted a 9-under-par 63 yesterday to take a three-stroke lead, with defending champion Phil Mickelson in pursuit. Mickelson, who also won the 2002 Hope, shot a 64 to tie for second at 14 under with Fredrik Jacobson of Sweden, who had a second-round 62 -- the best round of the tournament so far.

Fred Couples and Billy Mayfair were in a group of five at 13 under, four shots off the pace. Couples had a 66 and Mayfair a 64.

Ogilvie capped his round with a daring shot on No. 18, when he lofted a 5-wood over palm trees within 5 feet of the pin and made the putt for an eagle, his third in two days, on the 543-yard par 5.

Ogilvie began the five-day tournament with a 64 and was at 17-under 127 for two rounds, the third-most shots below par through 36 holes in PGA Tour history.

"Mickelson shot a 64 today at La Quinta," said Ogilvie, who had his 63 at Bermuda Dunes. "I'd say technically he's probably leading. Score-wise, I am, but technically I'd say he's leading. "That's Duke math," the former economics major added. "I feel like I'm three back," said Mickelson, using different math.

European -- Colin Montgomerie shot a 7-under 65 to take a three-stroke lead after the first round of the Caltex Masters in Singapore. The defending champion made seven birdies at the Laguna National Golf and Country Club to lead Nick Dougherty, Mark Foster, and Danny Chia, who all carded 68s to finish at 4 under. Seven were tied at 69.

"I really feel that this is a fantastic start to the new year," said Montgomerie.