LAKELAND, Fla. – The Valdosta State men's golf team opened the 2026 portion of the schedule Monday at the 2026 Matlock Collegiate hosted by Florida Southern as it sits tied for eighth with a 590 score on rounds of 296 and 294.  No. 4-ranked West Florida leads the 14-team field with a 559 score heading into tomorrow's final round on the par 72, 7,151-yard Lone Palm Golf Club course.
 
The Argonauts hold an 8-stroke advantage over the host Mocs (567), while No. 22 Nova Southeastern sits third at 4-under 572.  There is a tie for fourth between Eckerd and No. 20 Rollins at 587.  No. 12 Barry and No. 48 Embry-Riddle sit tied for sixth at 589, while VSU and No. 37 Palm Beach Atlantic sit tied for eighth at 590.  No. 29 Lynn and No. 19 Saint Leo are tied for tenth at 591. 
 
Individually, Florida Southern's Donte Groppuso and West Florida's Per Ekelund lead the tournament each with a 10-under 132.  Saint Leo individual Nicklas Illi is third at 7-under 135, while Eckerd's Reggie Fear is fourth at 6-under 13 6 and Nova Southeastern's Ivan Ponsdomenech sits 5-under and is fifth at 137. 
 
Blazer junior Alexander Nilehn carded a pair of 70s Monday to sit tied for sixth with a 138 score to lead the team. Junior William Carestam is tied for 23 with a 146 score on rounds of 73 and 79, while senior Joshua Burki is tied for 32^nd with a 148 score a pair of 74s.  Senior Elad Sebbag is tied for 73^rd with a 156 score on rounds of 79 and 77.  Playing as an individual, junior Nick Mueller finished Monday with a 156 score on rounds of 79 and 77.
 
Check back with vstateblazers.com and click on the men's golf schedule page for links to live results for Tuesday's final round.