David Duval is wearing shades despite the sun not shining at Bob Hope Classic

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It’s not raining yet at La Quinta where the Bob Hope Classic golf tournament is well into the first of five rounds of the first mainland U.S. tournament of the year. David Duval is still wearing sunglasses but the brightness that made the mountains sparkle about two hours ago is all gone now.

J.P. Hayes is the leader so far with a seven-under par score of 65 on the Palmer Private at PGA West course and Heath Slocum (Palmer Private), Bubba Watson (La Quinta Country Club) and Martin Flores (Palmer Private) are all in at 6-under 66.

Slocum said he felt it was a big advantage to have gotten an early tee time today because weather conditions were deteriorating as the wind began picking up and the temperatures dropped. Slocum said, ‘I feel very lucky to have started early,’ and Hayes agreed. ‘It’s going to get tougher out there,’ he said.

More heavy rain is forecast for Thursday. ‘We’re hearing the worst’ about whether tomorrow’s round will get played, Hayes said. ‘But you just prepare as if you’re going to play.’

It’s possible the five-round event will carry over into a sixth day. Tournament officials are willing to play next Monday if rain washes out a round.

-- Diane Pucin