VALDOSTA, Ga. – Sam Brown tied the Valdosta Country Club tournament record with a 5-under-par 67 to lead No. 6 Georgia Southwestern men's golf into second place after the opening round of the NCAA Division II South/Southeast Regional on Thursday.

Opening-round play was delayed by weather and later suspended by darkness, leaving several teams still on the course at the end of the day. Georgia Southwestern completed its opening round at 9-under-par 279, one stroke behind fourth-ranked Florida Southern (-10) and ahead of the top-ranked team in DII West Florida (-7) in a loaded regional field.

Brown surged down the stretch, birdieing five of his final 12 holes to post his 5-under-par total. His round tied the tournament scoring record at Valdosta Country Club, a mark previously achieved just five times in tournament competition. Among those to do so was former Lowndes High School standout Sepp Straka, who has since become a multi-time PGA Tour winner.

Brown finished the day tied for first overall in a field of more than 140 competitors, sharing the individual lead with West Florida's Cooper Tendick at 5-under-par.

GSW placed three players inside the top 25 after round one. Stefan Rojas posted a strong 3-under-par 69, playing his final seven holes at 4-under-par, finishing with four birdies down the stretch. to sit tied for eighth, while Jordan Jones carded a 1-under-par 71 and finished tied for 22nd. Sacha Corlouer posted an even-par 72 and is tied for 29th after recording an eagle during his opening round, while Oscar Hammar rounded out the lineup with a 75.

The Hurricanes were one of just three teams to finish the opening round under par, joining Florida Southern and West Florida. No. 16 Nova Southeastern (-6) and No. 12 Lincoln Memorial (-3) rounded out the top five.

Play resumes Friday morning with remaining first-round holes to be completed before the start of round two. GSW will continue its pursuit of a spot at the NCAA Championship as one of the top teams through 18 holes in the three-round regional.