Perez slows down but keeps Hope lead

Pat Perez fell off his record pace Friday but still managed to keep his two-shot lead after three rounds of the five-day Bob Hope Classic at La Quinta, Calif.

Perez established the lowest 36-hole score in the history of the PGA Tour Thursday, but had to settle for a 5-under 67 Friday at the SilverRock course — one of four used for this event.

That gave Perez a three-day total of 25-under 191, two shots over the tour’s 54-hole scoring record.

The SilverRock course is the most difficult of the four layouts and Perez suffered his second bogey of the week at the par-4 sixth hole. Perez is seeking the first win of his tour career.

Steve Stricker, playing the PGA West Palmer Course, fired an 11-under 61 and jumped into second place at 193. Vaughn Taylor was alone in third at 194 following a 64 at the Palmer course.

Tied for fourth at 195 were David Berganio Jr. (68), Chris Stroud (67), Richard S. Johnson (67) and Jason Dufner (67). Former PGA Championship winner Rich Beem (65) was among those at 196.