McDowell moves to Valderrama Masters lead

SOTOGRANDE, Spain, Oct. 29 (UPI) -- Graeme McDowell had a 4-under-par 67 Friday and moved into the lead after two rounds of the European Tour's Andalucia Valderrama Masters in Spain.

McDowell had six birdies and two bogeys in the second round that gave him a 36-hole total of 7-under 135. He is two strokes clear of Gareth Maybin, whose 68 Friday left him at 5-under.

Niclas Fasth had the round of the day with a 5-under 66, jumping from a tie for 41st to third, four shots behind McDowell. Miguel Angel Jimenez (70 Friday) and Gary Boyd (69) are tied for fourth at 2-under 140.

First-round leader Pablo Larrazabal faltered to a 6-over 77 and is in a tie for 19th.

McDowell had two birdies and two bogeys on the front side Friday but moved up behind three birdies in the 11-14 span and went to 4-under with another at No. 17.

"I didn't play that well on the front nine, it was rather scrappy, but the back nine was good. I gave myself birdie chances and positioned the ball well," McDowell stated. "Level par is a good job at Valderrama. I will just keep doing what I'm doing for the next couple of days."