Solid Anirban moves up 12 places in Mexico on PGA Tour

Indian golfer Anirban Lahiri moved up a dozen places with a fine four-under 67 to be tied 24th at the PGA TOUR's OHL Classic at Mayakoba.

Lahiri is now six-under for the tournament in his first start in US in the 2017 wrap around season.

Lahiri, who was tied third at CIMB Classic last month in his first appearance in the new season, retained his card last season when he was a rookie.

Gary Woodland birdied three of the final four holes Friday for a six-under 65 and a one-stroke lead at the halfway stage. Woodland played the first 36 holes without a bogey, following an opening 64 to get to 13-under 129 on Mayakoba's Greg Norman-designed El Camaleon course. He won the last of his two TOUR titles in 2013.
 

Playing in Mexico for the first time in his career, Lahiri was happy with his game and said, "I have been playing solid this week, though I missed a few opportunities to shoot much lower. I love the lay out and the pass-palm grass on the course, which is so similar to Asia, so feeling right at home. Hope I can finish well on weekend."

He did rue the fact he did not score better on par-fives. He added, "I did not take advantage of par 5s and a couple of short par-4s coming in. One wayward drive on 12 led to a couple of conservative tee shots on 13 and 14. But still overall, it was solid. If the putter gets hot then one can go really low."

Webb Simpson was second after his second straight 65. Scott Piercy had a 66 to reach 11-under. He tied for third in the season opener at Silverado.

First-round leader Chris Kirk followed his opening 63 with a 70 to drop into a tie for fourth at nine-under with local favourite Abraham Ancer (68), Russell Knox (65), Charles Howell III (64), Ben Martin (64), John Huh (66) and Adam Hadwin (66).