• Bob Hope Classic, Day One

Shane Bertsch storms ahead in Bob Hope Classic

Shane Bertsch made a fine start in California © Getty Images

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Shane Bertsch fired a 10-under 62 to take a two-stroke lead after the opening round of the Bob Hope Classic. Conditions in the normally temperate California Desert were more akin to New York in early spring, with a cold wind and intermittent rain making life difficult for the players.

Bertsch, playing at the Nicklaus Private Course, overcame a difficult preparation as he had to endure a troubled passage from Hawaii to the Palm Springs area. It did not stop him, though, as 25 putts and ten birdies secured him his lowest round of his professional career.

The Bob Hope Classic sees the pros play alongside celebrities and Bertsch says it is a format he relishes. "I was just comfortable," he said. "I always like these formats, too, because I help the guys out and stuff and it kind of keeps me maybe not so focused on myself so much until it's time to hit. And then I just go and hit."

Alex Prugh and Jeff Quinney are giving chase two shots adrift, while a group consisting of JP Hayes, George McNeill, Joe Ogilvie and Garrett Willis sit on seven-under par.

Heath Slocum, one of a large group on six-under, summed up the conditions on day one. "It was Palm Springs golf - not a lot of wind, starting to warm up," he said. "And then all of a sudden when I made the turn, it definitely kicked right back up. The wind started blowing, and it cooled off. I put the sweater back on, and obviously golf is a little more difficult."

Canada's Mike Weir hit 14 greens in regulation on his way to a bogey-free five-under, defending champion Pat Perez drained an eagle in his opening 68, a same mark as Sweden's Jesper Parnevic.

Justin Rose is one of just three Englishmen in the field and he leads that group on two-under, while Brian Davis and Greg Owen fired over-par scores.

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