BOB HOPE CLASSIC; DANGER LURKS IN THIRD DEFENDING CHAMP DUVAL SITS TWO STROKES BACK OF LEADER SABBATINI.

Byline: Larry Morgan Staff Writer

BERMUDA DUNES - Rory Sabbatini, who has less than two full years of professional golf to his credit, is the surprise leader after four rounds of the $3 million Bob Hope Classic.

But don't expect him to shake in his FootJoys during today's final 18 holes at Bermuda Dunes Country Club. And the ominous presence of defending champion David Duval, who is lurking only two shots back in chase of the first-place check of $540,000, probably won't rattle him either.

Sabbatini, who has a four-round total of 23-under-par 264, has lived the pressure before - he almost won last year's BellSouth Classic before being passed in the final round by none other than Duval - and believes he can handle things better this time.

``I think Atlanta (site of the BellSouth) helped a lot in the fact it taught me a harsh lesson coming down the stretch,'' he said. ``It was a lot of fun because I had not experienced it before, but I think I'll go into tomorrow with more confidence than anything else because I'm really confident in my game right now.''

Tour rookie Matt Gogel said he also wasn't bothered by the prospects of winning his first PGA Tour event because he is no stranger to victory. Gogel, who is one shot back and alone in second place, had six wins while on the Nike Tour and was that circuit's first player to win at least one event four years in a row (1996-99).

The 28-year-old said he will do the same things he always has done to win, ``and if it's my time, that will happen.''

It may not happen today, however, because he said this tournament and these courses do not suit his game. Gogel said he tends to play his best golf on tougher layouts and is not used to putting up such impressive numbers.

But so far, so good.

``My speciality is not a lot under par,'' said Gogel, who has had rounds of 66-67-64-68 for 22-under 265. ``I'm just giving myself chances this week.''

So is Duval, and sooner or later he's going to take advantage of them. He said he still isn't putting as well as he would like - he lipped out at least three times Saturday - but he is fairly pleased with his overall game.

``It's encouraging to see the ball hitting the hole a lot,'' he said, ``and they are eventually going to go in. And, hopefully, that will happen (today).''

Duval thinks he could have an advantage because today's round will mark his second day in a row at Bermuda Dunes, and he can better gauge the speed of the tricky greens. He also believes being in the hunt will work to his favor.

``There aren't too many people between me and the lead,'' he said. ``Hopefully some of the experience I have from being there a lot in the last few years will pay off.''

Frank Lickliter had the low round of the day with a 10-under-par 62 at Indian Wells, which has yielded several low scores this week, including Brent Geiberger's 61 on Friday. Lickliter was tied for seventh with J.L. Lewis, who had a 66 at La Quinta, first-round leader David Toms (70 at La Quinta) and Kirk Triplett (65 at Indian Wells).

Another player making a move was Jesper Parnevik, who has been almost ignored while quietly posting rounds of 69-67-66-64 and jumping into a tie for third place with Rich Beem (71 at Indian Wells), Duval and Stephen Ames.

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Photo: Tour rookie Matt Gogel, one stroke behind leader Rory Sabbatini, blasts out of a bunker on the 16th hole at Bermuda Dunes.

Bob Galbraith/Associated Press