PLAYA DEL CARMEN, Mexico -- Michael Putnam birdied five of the first eight holes and finished with a 7-under 64 on Friday to take the lead in the U.S. PGA Tour's OHL Classic.
Putnam had a 12-under 130 total, playing the first 36 holes without a bogey on Mayakoba's El Camaleon course.
"I've kept the ball in play really well," he said. "It's a tight golf course and got to keep it between the trees. After that, I've hit a lot of greens and made a lot of two putts. I did make about a 10-footer for par on 16 -- probably the hardest hole on the course."
Winless in 95 career PGA Tour starts, Putnam birdied the par-4 18th to close his round.
Shawn Stefani and Jason Bohn were a stroke back after each shot a 6-under 65.
Stefani had seven birdies and a bogey.
"I've been hitting the ball really well for quite some time now," he said. "The last few days really has been credit to my putter."
Bohn had six birdies in his second straight bogey-free round.
"It's about positioning yourself in the middle of the fairway or right side of the fairway and trying to attack some of these flags," he said.
Ken Duke was 10 under after a 63, the best round of the day.
Fred Funk, the oldest player in the field at 58, was 8 under after a 65.
Oscar Fraustro topped the seven Mexican players in the field, shooting a 67 to reach 7 under.
