Allenby leads at Bob Hope Classic

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Australia's Robert Allenby shot a blistering 63 for a two-stroke lead after the first round of the Bob Hope Classic at La Quinta, California.

Allenby shot a bogey-free round to move to nine under, with Americans Mark Calcavecchia and Craig Kanada two back.

England's Justin Rose opened the five-round event with a 67, while Ian Poulter shot 68.

Phil Mickelson, playing for the first time since the Ryder Cup, finished two under after an inconsistent round.

The American was three over following a double bogey at the fourth, but recovered with four straight birdies from the 10th.

US Ryder Cup player Scott Verplank, joint runner-up last year behind winner Chad Campbell, was among a group of eight bunched on 66.

Allenby holed 25ft birdie putts on his last two holes and said: "Tee to green, I played really well and I made a lot of putts.

"The greens were nice and receptive, and absolutely perfect to putt on. They had a great speed on them and I felt like I was going to make everything."