Columbus, GA - Rain delayed the start of the 2009 Aflac / Cougar Invitational golf tournament on Monday at Green Island Country Club, and that delay caused a stoppage of play because of darkness to end the day. Three groups were still on the course and will finish on Tuesday, beginning at 7:30 AM, followed by the second round of play.

Players from Barton, Newberry and West Georgia remain on the course and will finish the final two holes and then will transition immediately into the final round. The teams will remain paired as they were on Monday instead of re-pairing the field by scores.

North Alabama is the leader in the clubhouse after shooting a stellar team round of 280 (-4). Barry completed its round at 283 (-1) and ended the day tied with Barton College pending their finish on Tuesday morning. Nova Southeastern and Lander each shot 286 (+2) and round out the top five.

The Statesmen are just eight strokes off the lead with a 288 in sixth place.  Led by Chase Smith, who carded a 2-under 69, and Casey Patterson, who shot 1-under 70, the Statesmen are within striking distance. 

Seth McBrayer turned in a 3-over 74, while Jordan Breaux finished with a 4-over 75.  Austin Smither closed out the scoring for the Statesmen with a 5-over 76. 

Bryan Newton of Lander leads the pack individually after a stellar round of 67 (-4). He is one shot ahead of four golfers - Nova Southeastern's Jack Bartlett, Barry's Chris Carlin, Florida Southern's Jude Estaquio, and North Alabama's Ty Chandler. Four others are two shots back after shooting 69, while still four others are just three shots back after carding rounds of 70. In all 26 of the players who finished the round finished at par or better.