American Pat Perez set a PGA Tour record by posting a 20-under-par total of 124 in the second round of the Bob Hope Classic yesterday.

Perez, who had opened with a sizzling 11-under 61 on the Palmer Private course at PGA West, followed up with a flawless nine-under 63 on the Jack Nicklaus Private layout.

Bidding for his first PGA Tour title since joining the circuit in 2002, Perez took advantage of ideal scoring conditions on another calm day in the California desert by piling up nine birdies.

American Tom Lehman held the previous Tour record of 19-under 125 after 36 holes, at the 2001 Las Vegas Classic.

Four other players have posted two-round totals of 125 on the PGA Tour: Tiger Woods (15 under, 2000 WGC-NEC Invitational), Mark Calcavecchia (17 under, 2001 Phoenix Open), Corey Pavin (15 under, 2006 Milwaukee Championship) and Carl Pettersson (15 under, 2008 Wyndham Championship).

(Agencies via Shanghai Daily January 23, 2009)