DJ Trahan shared the lead with Robert Gamez after two rounds of the five-day Bob Hope Chrysler Classic.

Trahan shot the joint lowest round of the day, his 64 putting him 13 under par alongside Gamez, who signed for a 65.

Justin Leonard, who won the event in 2005, also shot a 64 and is one stroke back.

Steve Elkington is three strokes behind after carding a 68.

Four different golf courses are used in the 5.1million US dollar Pro-Am event, which mixes celebrities and amateurs with professionals.

Trahan ranked 169th in putting average last year and has struggled on the greens for the majority of his young golf career.

"I've been working hard on my putter," he said.

"I know now this is my fourth year out here and I know that it's been the club that has certainly been holding me back from becoming a better player and having better results, hopefully winning more."

Trahan saw a big improvement in his second-round putting.

He had 30 putts in the first round and seven fewer a day later, carding birdies on his first four holes.

"I was five under (on Wednesday), but I burned the edge. It must have been six or seven times I burned the edge," Trahan said.

"So far, though, it's been a good week. I'm comfortable over putts."

Gamez has more predictable putting statistics. He made three putts 10 feet or longer in his bogey-free second round.

"It was a good solid round altogether," Gamez said.

"I played well tee to green and when I did miss a shot I kind of got a couple of good breaks."

Leonard, who led at one point, posted his first 64 since the third round of the Valero Texas Open in October 2007. He ended up winning that event after a play-off with Jesper Parnevik.

"It's a great place early in the year to get some of the rust off and it's a really relaxed atmosphere," Leonard said.

"Playing with the celebrity rotation, I played with (singer) Alice Cooper."

Leonard welcomed playing with the celebrities and is feeling confident about his game.

"Right now, I'm still trying to come out of the off-season and just build some momentum here for the beginning of this year," he said.

"If I continue to improve, I think that things like the Ryder Cup should fall in line and be more of a conscious thought."

Gamez is just trying to get his card again. After finishing 132nd on the money list last year, he was given a sponsor's exemption to this event.

"I would have hated missing this tournament," Gamez said.

"It's in my top five of the year on tour. I just love playing in it and I love being here."

Trahan is becoming fond of the event as well. After missing the cut in 2006 and 2007 in his only appearances there, Trahan is adjusting to the format and ready to do more than just survive to the weekend.

"I don't mind the format," he said. "I feel like I can go out there and talk with my playing partners and still focus and play good golf."