LOS ANGELES: 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. 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. "I wasn't really thinking about my score just because I was trying to stay as dry and warm as possible," Schauffele said. "Coming out today, I kind of had a clearer plan of what I needed to do to fix my golf swing for today.

Source: New Strait Times January 04, 2020 06:11 UTC