Titan Men Lead After Panther Invitational's First Day

Eastern Florida's men's golf team holds a six-stroke lead after the opening 36 holes of Florida Tech's Panther Invitational at Duran Golf Club in Viera.

Eastern Florida, the only NJCAA team in the 14-team field and the defending event champion, carded 292-291=583 on Monday to 301-288=589 for NCAA Division II Barry University and 300-289=589 for Keiser University.

Florida Tech shot 298-295=593 to sit fourth with Palm Beach Atlantic, which also shot 298-295=593.

Individually, Barry's Mario Beltran and Eastern Florida's Kerry Sweeney are tied for first at 142, Beltran having shot 71-71 and Sweeney 69-73.

Eastern Florida's Bradley Bawden shot 70-74=144 to sit fourth. Corey Herman carded 77-69=145 to tie for fifth; Tyler Bennett shot 78-75=153 to sit in a tie for 30^th; and Michael Keymont shot 76-79=155 to tie for 37^th.

"The team hung in there very well all day today," said Eastern Florida head coach Jamie Howell.

"Duran played difficult in the wind and the guys managed the conditions well to finish in first place at the end of round two. Good solid play from Kerry Sweeney and Brad Bawden. Corey Herman had an excellent round in the afternoon and Tyler Bennett salvaged a score after a poor start to his second round.

"We will have our hands full tomorrow as the conditions will be similar to today and Barry University and Keiser University will both be keen to make up ground."

Play concludes with 18 holes on Tuesday.

Live scoring is available at https://m.birdiefire.com/tournament/19313/