Derek Lamely strung together the longest streak of birdies and eagles on the PGA TOUR in nearly four years to shoot a 9-under 63 on Wednesday and take the first-round lead at the Bob Hope Classic.
Lamely played a six-hole sequence in 7-under to take a one-stroke lead over J.J. Henry and Jhonattan Vegas in the five-day, four-course event.
He had five birdies and an eagle in his six-hole run for the best stretch on the PGA TOUR since Brandt Snedeker strung together an 8-under, seven-hole roll in early 2007 at Torrey Pines.
"The golf courses are perfect," Lamely said. "The weather is just so good. You've just got to go out and stay aggressive every hole. Hopefully you can get hot and make a bunch of putts, and I actually got that going today."
The 30-year-old was the only American rookie to win last year, although the Puerto Rico Open was an opposite-field event. After making major changes to his grip and swing shortly before winning in Puerto Rico, his biggest goal this winter is to win again in time to qualify for the Masters.
"At the end of last year, I started hitting it good, and I've been hitting it better and better as it goes on," Lamely said. "I keep getting better at the few things I've changed, so it's finally getting to the point where I can think my way around and just make some putts."
Boo Weekley led a pack of six at 65. The group includes Matt McQuillan, who only made it into the Hope field after Donnie Hammond withdrew Wednesday morning.
Henry holed a 132-yard wedge shot on his first hole at the Nicklaus Private course, but didn't get rolling until making six birdies in eight holes around the turn, finishing his season debut with his best round in seven career appearances at the Hope.
"I've probably never been this excited to start the year, both mentally and physically," Henry said. "I really felt refreshed and ready to go. (When) I got on the first hole, I had a perfect number with the wedge. You're a little nervous, haven't played a tournament in four months, and I hit this perfect shot that never left the flag."
Henry hasn't won a tournament since the 2006 Buick Championship, and hadn't played since the Deutsche Bank Championship, yet feels re-energized after taking most of the past four months off from golf while his oldest son started school.
Vegas, the 26-year-old Venezuelan rookie, had an outstanding start to his fifth PGA TOUR event, beating the previous best round of his short career by three strokes. He made the cut last week in the Sony Open in Hawaii, but still didn't get to finish after the field was further trimmed because of weather delays.
"I guess it was a little advantage not playing (in Hawaii) on Sunday, because I was able to get a flight Saturday night, and play this course on Sunday," Vegas said. "I actually got to see all four courses, which is huge for a rookie."
