Senior Joel Sjoholm shot a three-under par 69 to take sole possession of first place after the first round of the John Hayt Collegiate Invitational at Sawgrass Country Club in Ponte Vedra, Florida, while the 50th-ranked Georgia State men's golf team sits in a tie for sixth with a team score of 296 among a field that features 10 teams from the national top 30.

The Panthers also won the Players Cup hosted by the PGA Tour on the 16th, 17th and 18th holes of TPC Sawgrass with a team score of four-under par. The event, played after the conclusion of the first round of the John Hayt, was hosted on the historic TPC Sawgrass course that features the signature 'Island Green' 17th hole. Georgia State defeated third-ranked Charlotte by two strokes in the three-hole challenge and will receive a trophy at a reception tomorrow evening.

In the John Hayt, Sjoholm, who is currently ranked the 14th best player nationally by GolfStat.com, carded four birdies and only bogey in a first round that allowed the native of Sweden to claim a one-stoke lead over his nearest competitors. The 2007 Colonial Athletic Association Golfer of the Year started his day on the tenth tee and birdied two of his first three holes and three of his first nine holes after a birdie on the par-five 18th hole. Sjoholm bogeyed the fifth hole to fall to two-under par, but recovered to birdie the par-five eighth hole to take control of first place.

"Joel [Sjoholm] is stud. There's not a whole lot else to say," said Georgia State head coach Matt Clark. "He brings his game each and every week, but he'll have to keep playing this strong to win in this field. He's a great player and can do it. It's a pleasure to be his coach."

Sjoholm paced Georgia State to a tie for sixth with a first-round team score of 296, six strokes off the lead set by fourth-ranked Alabama on the par-72, 6,925-yard layout. The Panthers sit tied with host North Florida and 18th-ranked Florida at eight-over par.

"We played good golf today, but we're going to have to play even better to finish at the top in this field," said Clark. "This is a challenging course and a tough field, so we're just going to go out and try to play the best Georgia State golf we can tomorrow."

In addition to Sjoholm's strong performance, sophomore Maurice Jordan posted a first-round score of even-par 72 to rest tied for eighth. Jordan's 72 marked the second-lowest round of the sophomore's eight-tournament career to date, topped only by a score of 70 at the 2007 Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate.

"I'm really excited for Maurice," said Clark. "He had been unsure at times lately, but recently made a new commitment that is going to help him pay off. He is focused and has a plan and I'm really excited about what he is going to do for us. A 72 on this course, among this field, is a testament to his game."

To round out State's lineup, sophomore Tom Sherreard posted a three-over par 75 to finish tied for 32nd, while junior Tim Freund and freshman Alex Castro finished tied for 72nd (80, +8) and 75th (82, +10) respectively.

The 18-hole second round with begin at 8 a.m. on Monday, with the Panthers' Castro teeing off in the first group and the following Panthers teeing off in the subsequent groupings.

Check GeorgiaStateSports.com for updates following the second round or visit GolfStat.com for live scoring.

Individual Results:
1st ? Joel Sjoholm ? 69, -3
T8th ? Maurice Jordan ? 72, E
T32nd ? Tom Sherreard ? 75, +3
72nd ? Tim Freund ? 80, +8
T75th ? Alex Castro, 82, +10

Team Results: