MIAMI BEACH – The Valdosta State golf team posted two strong rounds of golf on Monday to open up the Buccaneer Invitational tied for fifth place among the 16-team field in Miami Beach, Fla.

On the par-71, 6,733-yard course, the Blazers teamed up for a round of 2-over 286 before following up with a 4-under 280 score in the second round. The score put Valdosta State in a tie with No. 10 Central Missouri State at the end of the first day of the three round, two day tournament, and just six strokes behind No. 5 Lynn, who currently leads the tournament at 8-under 560.

Valdosta State’s top performer of the day was Chris Rogers, who led the way for the Blazers with an opening round of 1-under 71 before topping the effort in round two with a 3-under 68 performance. Davis Roche nearly matched Rogers on the day, thanks to a 5-under 66 score in round two after a 3-over 74 in the first round. Roche’s first round score made the sophomore one of just three players to post a round of 66 or better thus far in the tournament.

Jake Harpe and Colton Godwin rounded out the Blazers’ solid effort with matching scores of 1-over 72 in round one and 2-over 73 in the second round.

The Blazers conclude the tournament on Tuesday against a field that features seven of the nation’s top ranked teams in the Bushnell GolfWeek Division II Coaches national poll. Start time is slated for 8:00 a.m.