THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
LA QUINTA, Calif. — Jhonattan Vegas birdied the final five holes Saturday to rejoin Gary Woodland atop the Bob Hope Classic leaderboard for the second straight day.
Vegas shot a 6-under 66 on the La Quinta course to match Woodland at 24 under. Woodland had a 66 in postcard-perfect weather on the Palmer Private course in the PGA Tour’s only five-day, four-course event.
Scotland’s Martin Laird (66) was two strokes back, and defending champion Bill Haas joined three contenders in fourth place with a 10-under 62 on the generous Palmer course.
Vegas and Woodland are seeking their first PGA Tour victories, but the ideal Palm Springs conditions make near-perfection necessary. The leaders believe they’ll need to go 30 under to win.
Calgary’s Stephen Ames is nine shots off the leaders after carding his third straight 68.
Chris Baryla (70) of Vernon, B.C., Mike Weir (72) of Bright’s Grove, Ont., and Matt McQuillan (77) of Kingston, Ont., all missed the cut.