Greg Kraft carded seven birdies and no bogies for a seven-under par 65 and the second round lead at the Bob Hope Classic in California yesterday. Kraft was 14 under par, one stroke better than Rich Beem, Andrew Magee and Brent Geiberger, who shot an 11-under 61.

Beem has the same two-day score of 130 as Kraft, but played one of his rounds at the par-71 Bermuda Dunes Country Club.

Casey Martin, who is playing in his first USPGA Tour event as an exempt player, shot a 71 after a first-round 68.

Casey, who suffers from a birth defect that restricts the flow of blood in his right leg, gained fame for his battle to be allowed to use a cart. He won a court decision to use a cart, but the USPGA Tour appealed the decision and both sides are awaiting a court decision.

Course difficulty eased up a bit for Kraft, who played at Indian Wells Country Club in the second round after playing at the demanding La Quinta Country Club in the first round but it didn't seem to matter as he shot identical 65s at both courses.

"I think you have to come out here with the mind-set every day that you're going to try to shoot as low as you can," Kraft said. "There might be a day or two where you're not going to be playing as well as normal and you need the low rounds to carry you over."

First-round leader David Toms lost ground yesterday, despite shooting a three-under par 68, and said the favourable conditions were helping produce low scores.