Tournament of champions: Xander Schauffele leads through a shot in Hawaii

Xander Schauffele is the title defender in Hawaii Second round leaderboard -9 Schauffele (US); -8 Reed (USA), Niemann (Chi); -7 Fowler (USA); -6 Cantlay (US), Thomas (US) Selected others: -4 Rahm (Spa); -3 McDowell (NI), Johnson (USA); E Casey (Eng)

Defending champion Xander Schauffele fought strong winds and rain and led one shot in the middle of the champions tournament in Hawaii.

He shot a five-under-par 68 to sitting at nine under, with fellow American Patrick Reed and Joaquin Niemann from Chile for second.

Heavy rain saw twice stopped round twice, but the players stayed on the track.

"This is rain and wind that we don't often play in, but luckily it's a bit warm," Schauffele said.

"I didn't think about my score because I tried to stay as dry and warm as possible."

Former Masters champion Reed had a difficult end to 2019. He was punished for improving of the lie of his ball during the Hero World Challenge, then by fans during the Presidents Cup in Melbourne, before his caddy was thrown out of the tournament for pushing a spectator.

But on Friday the 2015 champion shot the round of the day with a seven-under 66 with eight birdies and a bogey, while leader Niemann played a 72 card tonight.

The American Rickie Fowler is in fourth place on seven under, a shot for countryman Justin Thomas.

Jon Rahm in Spain is the highest placed European on four under, with Graeme McDowell from Northern Ireland and the American former number one Dustin Johnson on three under.