LA QUINTA, Calif. — Pat Perez, chasing his first PGA Tour win, shot a 9-under 63 yesterday to become the first player in PGA Tour history to play a 36-hole stretch in a tournament in 20 under, keeping him two strokes in front in the Bob Hope Classic.

After opening with a 61, Perez had nine birdies during a bogey-free second round and was at 124 through the first two days of the 90-hole tournament. Along with setting a PGA Tour low against par for consecutive rounds, his 36-hole total was the lowest ever to begin a tournament.

Perez had his opening 61 at the Palmer Course at PGA West, and followed it with the 63 on the Nicklaus Course at PGA West.

On another mild, still day in the desert, Perez's sizzling start still wasn't enough to give him a cushion.

Briny Baird aced the par-3, 140-yard seventh at the Nicklaus Course with a 9-iron on the way to his second 63 and an 18-under 126 total. David Berganio Jr. shot 64 for 127, with Tom Pernice Jr. (63) Chris Stroud (63), Richard Johnson (65) and Jason Dufner (65) at 128.

"I've played two unbelievable rounds and I'm very happy where I'm at," said the 32-year-old Perez, starting his fifth year on Tour.

Castle High alum Dean Wilson was at 71—138.