Rose leads Bob Hope Classic by two strokes

Justin Rose refused to let a cold, windy day in the desert cool off his game, shooting a 6-under-par 66 Friday to take a two-stroke lead through three rounds of the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic in Thousand Palms, Calif.

Rose, who grew up in England, went to 18-under 198 during a round when the weather in the usually warm resort area resembled a chilly day at the British Open.

Scott Verplank, tied with Rose heading into the third round of the five-day event, shot a 68 to drop to second.

Afternoon temperatures dipped into the low 50s, with swirling wind adding to the chill.

The four courses used for the first four days of the Hope generally yield extremely low scores, but conditions kept scoring more pedestrian during the third round.

Bernhard Langer was a notable exception, with his 9-under 63 vaulting him into a tie for 13th at 10 under. He highlighted his round at Bermuda Dunes with an ace, knocking a 7-iron into the cup on the 170-yard seventh.

The 26-year-old Rose, who was born in Johannesburg and lives in London, had an eagle, five birdies and a bogey at PGA West.

He joined the PGA Tour full time in 2004, and his best finish in the 96 events he’s played was a tie for second last year in the Texas Open.

Phil Mickelson, the 2002 and 2004 Hope champion, had a 69 at the tournament host Classic Club. He was 7 under with 36 holes remaining in his season debut.

Lucas Glover shot a 66 at Bermuda Dunes, John Rollins had a 69 at La Quinta Country Club, and first-round leader Robert Allenby had a 70 at the Classic Club to tie for third at 13 under.

The first four rounds of the Hope are a pro-am, with the field reduced to the 70 low-scoring pros and ties for Sunday’s 18 holes at the Classic Club.

Champions Tour

Brad Bryant shot a 9-under 63 in the season-opening MasterCard Championship to take a two-stroke lead over defending champion Loren Roberts and Ben Crenshaw in Kaupulehu-Kona, Hawaii.

Women’s World Cup

Celeste Troche shot a 3-under 69 and Julieta Granada had a 2-under 70 to give Paraguay a four-stroke lead after the first day of the Women’s World Cup of Golf, with the United States 10 shots off the pace in Sun City, South Africa.

Americans Pat Hurst (74) and Juli Inkster (75) were 5 over.