Defending champion Xander Schauffele defied gusting winds and sometimes driving rain on Friday, firing a five-under par 68 to take a one-stroke halfway lead in the US PGA Tour Tournament of Champions.
In wild weather on the par-73 Plantation Course at Kapalua, Hawaii, Schauffele managed to shake off his early impatience and notch five birdies without a bogey on the way to a nine-under par total of 137.
He was one stroke clear of US compatriot Patrick Reed and overnight leader Joaquin Niemann of Chile.
Reed grabbed eight birdies in a seven-under par 66 and was joined on eight-under 138 by Niemann, who carded a one-under 72.
American Rickie Fowler was alone in fourth after a 71 for 139, one stroke in front of Patrick Cantlay and Justin Thomas -- who closed with back-to-back bogeys.
"It was an interesting day," Schauffele said.
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Play was halted twice -- with players remaining on the course -- when heavy downpours left standing water on the course.
"I wasn't really thinking about my score just because I was trying to stay as dry and warm as possible," Schauffele said.
"I got kind of frustrated early in the round, I was missing a few putts here and there. It was windy, the ball was moving on the greens.
"My attitude was a little iffy, I'd say, at times. Once the monsoon came through it was kind of a nice time for me to relax and let it pass."
- 'clearer plan' -
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"Coming out today, I kind of had a clearer plan of what I needed to do to fix my golf swing for today. Next thing you know, I started hitting the ball better and started making putts."
Although partisan fans at the Presidents Cup in Australia heckled him mercilessly over the affair, Reed delivered a Sunday singles win to help the United States beat the
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