PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. – Senior Bryce Howell (+2) carded an even 72 to lead the Furman men’s golf team Saturday at the John Hayt Invitational at the par-72, 6,976-yard Sawgrass Country Club.

Howell, a native of Blythewood, S.C., scored birdies on No. 6 and No. 8 to finish the round tied for 17th heading into Sunday’s final round. Four players are tied for the individual lead at 4-under, including 70th-ranked David Wicks (-4) of Jacksonville, No. 94 Phillip Knowles (-4) of North Florida, Army’s Peter Kim (-4) and Cory Churchman (-4) of North Texas.

Freshman Keller Harper (+4) recorded a second-round 74 and scored birdies on No. 8, No. 11, and No. 18, to tie for 30th. Sophomore Connor Bruns (+7) is tied for 47th after scoring a 77 with birdies on No. 8 and No. 15, and junior Hunter Nichols also added a 77 with a birdie on No. 14 to tie for 55th entering the final round. Freshman Stephen Reynolds added three birdies on Saturday, including consecutive birdies on No. 13 and No. 14, to tie for 78th.

No. 36 North Florida (+1) holds a three-stroke lead over 31st-ranked Jacksonville (+4) after two rounds. No. 49 UCF (+8), Tennessee (+8) and 33rd-ranked Liberty (+8) are tied for third place. Furman (+22) is in 13th place entering Sunday’s final round.

The 54-hole tournament will conclude on Sunday with teams teeing off beginning at 7:30 a.m.