Joint overnight leader Aaron Baddeley has plummeted down the leaderboard after firing two-over-par 73 in the second round of the OHL Classic in Mayakoba.
Baddeley opened with a six-under 65 to share the lead but on Friday found himself in a tie for 37th at four under, eight shots behind leader Graeme McDowell.
Northern Irishman McDowell made seven birdies in an eight-hole stretch in his round of eight under to be 12-under-par for the tournament and one shot clear of America Derek Fathauer.
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.
"The two biggest keys to the year have been the driver and putter, the two things that haven't been performing this season and probably are my strengths," McDowell said.
"I drove the ball much, much better, and I putted just as good today as I did yesterday. I'm putting nicely and decisively. The hole looks pretty big right now."
McDowell usually plays the European Tour this time of the year as it wraps up the Race to Dubai.
But the 36-year-old had such a mediocre season that he returned to America to get a head start on the new PGA Tour season. So far, the decision is paying off.
He started the year at No.15 in the world and has fallen all the way to No.85.
His best finish this year was a tie for ninth in the Dubai Desert Classic.
McDowell has been grinding hard since June, and he has been seeing signs of it getting better.
"It's the result of three or four months of grinding," McDowell said.
"I'm trying to play better. It's been a frustrating year. That's the game of golf we know and love. You've got to take the rough with the smooth."
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