Graeme McDowell takes the lead with 63 at OHL Classic

Graeme McDowell carded an impressive round of 63 to take the clubhouse lead during Friday’s second round of the OHL Classic at Playa Del Carmen, Mexico

The Northern Irishman, who on Thursday overcame a horrendous start to shoot an opening round of 67, leads with an overall score of 12 under after the early starters finished up on Friday morning.

A day earlier McDowell had pushed his opening tee shot out of bounds, then put his provisional on a similar line but stayed in play and scrambled to save double-bogey. But he recovered and then on Friday shot four consecutive birdies after again beginning his round badly, this time with a bogey on the first.

He had another two birdies on the seventh and 13th, and finished his round with three further birdies after some tidy putting throughout his round.

McDowell told Sky Sports that the first hole had become his “nemesis” but he was delighted with his overall play during the first two rounds.

“The first hole on Thursday was the result of, two bad tee shots really, I made five on the first again today so I suppose that hole is my nemesis a bit. But I hit the middle of the fairway today, but was just sloppy with the second shot.

“My iron play has been really solid and my putter has been really hot which is a big key and I’m seeing the greens well and really making a lot of putts.”

The former US Open champion is two shots clear of Korean Si Woo Kim, with American Patrick Rodgers one shot further back on nine under.

“I’m really feeling very relaxed out there, I haven’t come into these two weeks like I thought I might - I’ve really come in with an open mind and tried to play some golf and I’ve really enjoyed doing that the last couple of days. If I can keep that attitude going over the weekend I’ll be there or there abouts.

“The belief level and confidence levels have been chipping away the last couple of months. So I suppose I go into this weekend, like I say working on my attitude and working on being relaxed - and I know I have the ability and the confidence to take the shots on. So I’ve just go to stay loose and anything that happens this week is just a bonus.”