PALM DESERT, Calif. — Chad Campbell wants his golf game to be consistent.

His play has been solid as a rock in the Bob Hope Chrysler Classic, with three rounds in the 60s — and one bogey.

"I think my short game has been a lot better," Campbell said Friday after his 4-under 68 gave him a four-shot lead over Scott Verplank and John Senden. "I've been getting the ball up and down."

Campbell went to 19-under 197 through 54 holes of the 90-hole event. Verplank had a 65 and John Senden a 68.

Phil Mickelson, who won the Hope in 2002 and 2004 and is making his first start of the year, had a 68 that left him six shots off the lead. Pat Perez tied him for fourth at 13 under by shooting a 70.

Mickelson said he didn't know what to expect this week after taking a long time off.

"After not playing for a few months, you're never quite certain how things are going to go," he said. "I came out and played a very good front nine at La Quinta and have been playing somewhat OK since, too."

Mickelson began the tournament with a 5-under 31 on the front nine at La Quinta, where he finished the first round with a 66.

Campbell finally had his first bogey of the tournament on his 17th hole of the third round, No. 8 on the Arnold Palmer Course at PGA West. That ended a string of 60 consecutive holes without a bogey dating back to his runner-up finish in Hawaii last weekend.