Rose is chasing his first tournament win in America

SECOND ROUND LEADERBOARD
(US unless stated):
-12 J Rose (Eng), S Verplank
-11 R Allenby (Aus), J Wagner
Selected others:
-9 M Calcavecchia
-7 B Davis (Eng)
-4 I Poulter (Eng), P Mickelson

Justin Rose shares the second-round lead at the Bob Hope Classic after firing a seven-under 65 on Thursday.

The 26-year-old Englishman is on 12 under alongside American Scott Verplank, who carded a 66.

Rose said: "It actually felt like quite a tricky day out there. It felt quite windy, or windier than yesterday."

Phil Mickelson, the only player ranked in the world's top 30 in the event, shot a second straight 70 to lie eight shots adrift on his seasonal debut.

First-round leader Robert Allenby of Australia is tied for third alongside PGA Tour rookie Johnson Wagner, one shot off the pace, after shooting a 70.

England's Ian Poulter could only manage a level-par 72 to stay four under but compatriot Brian Davis shot a 68 to move to seven under.

I guess you don't really know where you stack up in this golf tournament until everybody has played the four courses Joint leader Justin Rose

Rose bounced back from a bogey at the third hole with an eagle at the fifth and birdies on the sixth and eighth before birdieing three in a row from the 10th.

Two months ago Rose won the Australian Masters to end a four-year title drought on the European Tour.

He also had a series of near-misses on the PGA Tour last season and feels he is now ready to break his duck in America.

"Winning is obviously difficult but, once you do it, you kind of realise it's not that big an obstacle as sometimes you see it," he said.

"Winning in Australia at the end of the year on the European Tour was good for the confidence and makes you realise you can do it.

"I certainly gave myself a lot of chances to win (last year), and did not take advantage of some of those which I felt like I should have."

However, the Bob Hope Classic is played over four different courses and five rounds, so Rose is not getting ahead of himself.

"I find this golf tournament a lot of fun," he said.

"But I guess you don't really know where you stack up in this golf tournament until everybody has played the four courses.

"Obviously some courses are going to be easier than others and it depends on which day you get to certain courses, whether they play harder or easier."

Mickelson was disappointed to have carded his second straight 70 after a poor end to his round.

"I had it going for a while," said the Masters champion.