By Mike Lehman, TTU Sports Information

HOWEY-IN-THE-HILLS, Fla. – The Tennessee Tech men's golf team put together a strong first day of action at the Orlando Invitational Monday, completing the first two rounds of play at the El Campeón Course at Mission Hills Resort.

The purple and gold shot a 299 to open the day and shaved seven strokes from that total in the second round, firing a 292 for a 591. Tech tied for sixth with Stetson among the 14 teams in the field. Wright State led the way with a 3-under 284-289=573. Kasey Lilly of Purdue Fort Wayne posted a 68-73=141 to tie for first with Youngstown State's Bryan Kordupel, who finished with a 71-70=141.

Pacing Tech on the day was Chance Taylor, tying for ninth among the field of 83. The junior carded rounds of 75 and 70 for a 145 overall, producing six birdies in the second round along and an eagle and two birdies in the first.

Tying for 21st overall was Nick Sutton, delivering a 148 behind back-to-back scores of 74. The sophomore posted five birdies in the first round and three more in the second.

Fellow sophomore Mark McDearman finished just one shot behind, putting forth a 149 to tie for 27th in the field. Behind 12 pars, he turned in a 76 in the first round and followed it up with a 73 backed by four birdies.

Redshirt freshman Jackson Skeen was next on the leaderboard for Tech, tying for 32nd overall following a 76-75=151. He produced 12 pars and a birdie in the first round and a pair of birdies and 12 more pars in the second. 

One stroke behind in a tie for 36th was senior Bracton Womack, concluding round one with a 74 with 14 pars and a birdie. He totaled 152 after concluding the second round with a single birdie and a 78. 

Competing as an individual, Bryce Beeler tallied rounds of 87 and 79 to finish with a 166 overall. He racked up four birdies overall to go with 17 pars.

The Golden Eagles will wrap up play with the third and final round on Tuesday with a shotgun start beginning at 6:30 a.m. CT.

File photo by Thomas Corhern