Hope weather gives way to Crosby weather

LA QUINTA, Calif. -- The partnership of sunny and warm that typically holds sway over this corner of the world this time of year has taken its leave this week. In its stead is something that is closer to Crosby weather than Hope weather.

The temperature quit rising once it reached 60 degrees during the first round of the Bob Hope Classic on Wednesday, though the rain that was anticipated failed to materialize. Still, lift, clean and place rules were in effect.

"It was moist," said J.P. Hayes, who opened with a 65 on the Arnold Palmer Private Course at PGA West, three behind leader Shane Bertsch. "We played the ball up, but we didn't really have to. It's probably more in anticipation of what might come than what was today."

The forecast is for as much as an inch of rain overnight and another half inch of rain on Thursday. Rain also is forecast for Friday, and the temperature is not expected to get higher than 63 degrees until Sunday. For the record, no round has been postponed in this tournament since 1980.

-- John Strege