Ames sizzles in the desert

Trinidadian Stephen Ames continued his sizzling play in the California desert with an eight-under-par 64 at La Quinta to grab a share of the lead with Tim Herron after the third round of the Bob Hope Classic.

Herron joined Steve Lowery and David Gossett as the three players to post scores of 10-under 62.

Ames, 38, completed 54 holes of the 90-hole celebrity-filled event at 22-under 194.

His only win on American soil came on the Ben Hogan Tour in 1991, when he captured the Pensacola Open.

But the Calgary resident enjoyed a solid 2002 season, finishing in the top 50 on the money list for the first time.

Ames had four top-10 finishes, including a runner-up at the Players Championship.

Jay Haas, who is eligible to play on the 50-and-older Champions Tour next season, carded a five-under 67 at Indian Wells and is alone in third place at 195.

The winner of the 1988 Bob Hope Classic, Haas shot a career-best 11-under-par 61 on Thursday to take a one-shot lead heading into the third round.

Mike Weir of Canada and Australia’s Rodney Pampling are tied for fourth on 196, one stroke ahead of Chris DiMarco, Lowery and Gossett.

Four courses, all with a par of 72, are used for the Bob Hope Classic – the others are PGA West and Bermuda Dunes.