Graeme McDowell surges into lead at PGA Tour’s OHL Classic

Graeme McDowell made seven birdies in an eight-hole stretch Friday and shot an eight-under-par 63 to take a one-shot lead in the OHL Classic at Mayakoba in Playa del Carmen, Mexico.

McDowell closed out the back nine with three straight birdies, made a bogey on No. 1, and then bounced back with four straight birdies in the morning. He has played the first hole at El Camaleon Golf Club in three over for two days.

Derek Fathauer made four birdies over his last seven holes for a 66 to get within one shot of McDowell.

McDowell was at 12-under 130. He typically plays the European Tour as it concludes the Race to Dubai, but the 36-year-old from Northern Ireland had such a mediocre year that he chose to start the new PGA Tour season.

Minjee Lee moves into lead at Ochoa Invitational

Minjee Lee shot her second straight three-under 69 on Friday to take a one-stroke lead over four players in the LPGA Tour’s Lorena Ochoa Invitational in Mexico City.

The 19-year-old Australian player two-putted from 50 feet on the par-five 17th for the last of her six birdies at tree-lined Club de Golf Mexico. She won at Kingsmill in May for her first LPGA Tour title.

Second-ranked Inbee Park, defending champion Christina Kim, Angela Stanford and Sei Young Kim were tied for second in the 36-player event. Park, the first-round leader, had a 71. Christina Kim and Sei Young Kim each shot 66, and Stanford had a 70.

Park is making her first start since withdrawing in China two weeks ago because of a cyst on her left middle finger. The South Korean star has four victories this season, winning two of the five majors.

Bjerregaard has three-shot lead at BMW Masters

Lucas Bjerregaard sank seven birdies to shoot a six-under 66 in the second round of the BMW Masters in Shanghai to open a three-stroke lead.

The 24-year-old Danish player has been closing in on a maiden victory on the European Tour over the past few months. He has four top-10 finishes since September, including a runner-up finish at the Hong Kong Open last month where he was beaten by Justin Rose by one stroke.

Sergio Garcia held on to his overnight lead until running into trouble on the back nine. He bogeyed No. 12 and then hit into the water on No. 13 for a double bogey, falling four strokes back. The Spaniard recovered to shoot a 71 and a tie for second place with Thailand’s Thongchai Jaidee (68).