Paced by tournament leader Trent Phillips, the No. 3-ranked Georgia men’s golf team built a 3-stroke edge during the 2021 Gators Invitational presented by VyStar on Friday at the Mark Bostwick Golf Course.

The 21 teams in the field got through one full round and part of the second on the par-70, 6,701-yard track. The Bulldogs opened with an 11-under 269, then pushed their total to 20-under as one player made it through 15 holes and four navigated 12 holes in the second round.

At 20-under, Georgia grabbed a 3-shot edge over Liberty and a 6-stroke lead over LSU and Auburn.

Phillips posted a 6-under 64 in the first round and was 3-under through 12 when play was suspended on Friday. With his 9-under tally, Phillips is one ahead of Liberty’s Ervin Chang and is three clear of Jacksonville’s Michael Sakane.

Sophomore Connor Creasy posted a career-low-tying 4-under 66 in the first round and was 1-under through 12 for a total of 5-under to land in fourth. Senior Davis Thompson signed for a 1-under 69 and was 2-under after 12 for 20th at 3-under. Sophomore Nicolas Cassidy went 1-over 71 in the first round and was 3-under after 15 for a figure of 2-under. Fifth-year Spencer Ralston opened with an even-par 70 and was 1-over through 12.

Competing as an individual, junior Eli Scott posted a 1-under 69 in the first round and was 3-over through 12 for a 2-over tally.

Play in the second round will resume at 8 a.m. Saturday and the teams will transition directly into the third round weather permitting. Tournament officials are attempting to complete the event on Saturday because of expected inclement weather Sunday.