Campbell Clings to Bob Hope Lead

By Sports Network

PALM DESERT, Calif. -- Chad Campbell shot a 5-under 67 on Saturday, but had his lead trimmed to one shot at the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.
 
Campbell, who led by four shots overnight, is through four rounds at 24-under-par 264. It's the best 72-hole score of his five-year PGA Tour career, but Scott Verplank made things close heading into the final round by firing an 8-under 64 to get within a stroke.
 

John Senden will complete the final threesome on Sunday after shooting a 5-under 67 to get to minus-20.
 
Two-time champion Phil Mickelson, who is playing in his first event of the new season, chipped in twice during his round and shot a 67 to end the day tied for fourth place at minus-18. Justin Rose joined Mickelson there after a 6-under 66.
 
The first four days of this 90-hole event were spread out over four courses: Classic Club, La Quinta, the Palmer Course at PGA West and Bermuda Dunes. The final round will be played at the Classic Club, a new course added to the rotation this year which has played the toughest over the first four days.
 
Mickelson, for one, planned to practice his putting at the Classic Club before the final round begins Sunday. But the course, studded by water and sand, may be too tough for those who need to make up more than just a couple of strokes on Campbell.
 
"Where you can make up ground is if the wind blows and your opponents make big numbers," Mickelson said. "I think you can shoot 3, 4, 5 under par. But to make up a six-, seven- or eight-shot lead, that will be tough without the leaders coming back."
 
Campbell played his fourth round at the Classic Course, so its layout will be fresh in his head when he tees off Sunday.
 
"I think that helps," said Campbell, who admitted that his round Saturday was easier than some of the others played at the Classic Club when high winds were a factor.
 
"I think more than anything, we got it on a nice day," he said. "The guys on Wednesday and Thursday, they got a little bit of a bad draw. But that's the way it goes, I guess."
 
Campbell continued his assault on par-5s Saturday, carding the first of his six birdies at the par-5 fourth to get to minus-20. He eventually made the turn at 23 under after birdies at six, seven and nine.