DAVIE, Fla. – The Valdosta State men's golf team fired a 12-over 296 in the opening round of the 2023 NSU Shark Invitational hosted by Nova Southeastern University Monday at Grande Oaks Golf Club.  Following a significant rain delay, the second round began, but play was suspended as the 17-team field conclude the second round on Tuesday and then complete the third round. 
 
Florida Southern leads the field with an even par 284, followed by Gulf South Conference member Shorter with a 286.  Tampa sits third at 289, followed by a tie for fourth between Saint Leo and Lynn at 292.  St. Thomas (Fla.) is sixth at 294, while Union is seventh at 295 and VSU and Mississippi College are tied for eighth (296).  Nova Southeastern rounds out the top ten at 297. 
 
Barry, Rollins and Palm Beach Atlantic are tied for 11^th at 298.  Embry-Riddle, Spring Hill College and Eckerd are tied for 14^th at 305.  Six strokes separate ten teams heading into Tuesday.
 
Individually, Tampa's Brendan Dunphy, playing as an individual, leads the field with a 3-under 68 on the par 71, 6,731-yard course.  Union's Gray Campbell is second at 2-under 69, while there is an eight-way tie for third at 1-under and a seven-way tie at even 71. 
 
For the Blazers, junior Brandon Cho continues his strong play to start the season as he carded a 1-over 72 and is tied for 18^th.  Sophomore Ty Folsom is tied for 27^th with a 73, while freshman Alex Nielhn opened his career with a 75 and sits tied for 48^th.  Junior Parker Highsmith is tied for 53^rd with a 76 and sophomore Joshua Burki is tied for 62^nd with a 77. 
 
Check back with vstateblazers.com tomorrow for a complete recap of the second and third rounds and follow live stats by clicking here.