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Robert Gamez takes lead in three rounds at Bob Hope Classic

Robert Gamez finished with two birdies to seize sole possession of the lead on Friday after three rounds of the US$5.1 million Bob Hope Classic.

Gamez fired a five-under-par 67 for an 18-under total of 198, one shot in front of D.J. Trahan and Justin Leonard. Trahan carded a 68 and Leonard a 67 for 199.

Meanwhile, Boo Weekley posted a 10-under 62 to vault from 34th place to fourth on 201.

Weekley's round included 11 birdies, including four in a row to cap his round, with just one bogey.

"Today, it was like it all clicked," Weekley said. "I'm hoping that this is the start of something that is more to come."

Gamez, who was even with Trahan for the lead after the second round, put together his third straight round in the 60s.

It appeared he and Trahan would share the overnight lead with Leonard, but Gamez, who started the day at No. 10, dropped a stroke with his second bogey of the day at seven -- his 16th hole.

However, he rebounded with birdies at eight and nine to seize the lead heading into the fourth round of the five-round tournament.

"The conditions were there, you could go low, for sure," Gamez said. "They were out there for the taking with the wind being down, the weather being warmer, and I thought there would be a lot lower scores."

Trahan said his 68 could have seen him slide further down.

"You come here and expect to shoot 6- or 7-under," he said. "It's tough to play great golf five days in a row. I shot 68 and thought I was losing ground."

Leonard, who won the Texas Open last year to end a victory drought stretching from 2005, said he is pleased with his game so far this season.

"I'm playing with confidence," said Leonard, who won this event in 2005 and owns 12 career titles in all.

"I like the way I'm rolling the ball. I don't have a lot of swing thoughts, so I am trying to make the game as simple as possible," he said.

"I can just really go out and focus on what kind of shot I want to try and hit, and it's made the game for me a lot easier," he said.
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