Joseph Sullivan carded an even-par round Monday to kick off the Austin Regional as an individual in the NCAA Men's Golf Championships from Austin, Texas.

"Today was a long day,"  head coach Andrew Danna said. "Joe did an excellent job with the game plan today. He came out of the rain delay and was able to put together a nice back nine. We are looking forward to another opportunity to compete tomorrow."

Sullivan made a statement early, birdying his first three holes to begin the overcast day in Austin. The overcast day soon turned into inclement weather as light rain moved into the Austin area.

The senior was on pace to tie the lowest round ever recorded by an Eagle at the NCAA Championships, setting his sights on a 68. Sullivan fell back down to even-par over the next two holes with a double bogey on the fourth and a bogey on the fifth. The Englishman regrouped to scratch in back-to-back pars nearing the turn.

Austin had been issued a severe thunderstorm watch by the National Weather Service and light rain soon became heavy rain with streaks of lightning. The regional was suspended for nearly three hours. At 1:10 p.m. (ET) play was suspended, and Sullivan sat at one-over through eight holes. Play officially resumed at 4 p.m. (ET).

Sullivan returned to the course with a par on the ninth. He would birdie the 11th to climb back up to even par for the round. After a double-bogey on 13, Sullivan answered with a par-five eagle on 14. He finished his day with four straight pars en route to the even 71.

 The top five teams and the low individual not on those teams will advance to the finals May 24-29 in Carlsbad, California.

Sullivan broke the program's single-season record for the most rounds ever played by an Eagle Monday. The opening round of the regional marked his 37th round of the season. He tees off Tuesday's second-round action starting at 10:53 p.m. (ET).