The Arizona men's golf team stands in ninth place after the first round yesterday of the 2004 Topy Cup in Fukushima, Japan.

Arizona posted a 12-over-par 300 in the opening round of the 2004-05 season, and stands in ninth place. Texas, one of four U.S. collegiate squads in the event, leads the 11-team field by one stroke after carding a 284 (-4) total. Auburn (285), New Mexico (285) and Tohoku Fukushi (291) round out the top four places.

Individually, none of the five Wildcats in the lineup managed to break par. Sophomore Henry Liaw shot a one-over 73 and is currently tied for 16th place. Senior Nick Juszczak tallied a two-over 74 and is tied for 21st place. New Mexico's Spencer Levin leads the 60-man after a first-round 68 (-4).

Also competing for the Wildcats was sophomore Mark Lamb, who is tied for 26th place at 75 (+3), and sophomores Nathan Tyler and Josh Esler, who are tied for 46th place at 78 (+6).

The Topy Cup is an annual event held in Japan featuring collegiate teams from the United States and Japan in a 54-hole stroke play format. Four U.S. and seven Japanese teams make up the 11-team field.

The 2004 Topy Cup continues through tomorrow at the Tanagura Densha Country Club, a par 72, 6,080-yard layout.