Reigning North of Ireland champion Chris Selfridge has a one-stroke lead midway through the 89th edition of the prestigious New Year’s Invitational Tournament in Florida.

The University of Toledo star, a member of Ireland's Home International winning side last year and already a four-time championship winner domestically, fired a second successive two-under 70 at St. Petersburg Country Club to lead on four under par from Michael McGowan, a recent graduate of the North Carolina, and Brandon Pierce, a sophomore from LSU.

Notable players in the top 10 include 2014 U.S. Amateur champion Gunn Yang, who is three behind after rounds of 74-69, tied for fifth with defending champion Sam Horsfield, a 2015 Florida signee. Scores

Former winners of the event, which has been played since 1927, include Johnny Revolta (1928), Masters winner Bob Goalby (1958), Lenny Mattiace (1986), J. B. Holmes (2003), Brandt Snedeker (2004), Jeff Overton (2005) and Peter Uihlein (2009).

Selfridge, who heads for the South American Amateur in Peru later this month, is set to finish up in college soon and plans to play a full-time amateur schedule.

Winner of the East of Ireland and Irish Close titles in 2012, the Moyola Park star retained the North of Ireland Amateur Championship last year and made it to the last 32 in the British Amateur at Royal Portrush.

A potential Walker Cup candidate, he's made eight birdies, two bogeys and a double in windy conditions the first two rounds as he searches for early season form.