By Patrick Klein

Arizona Daily Wildcat

Some of the finest collegiate golfers in the country took their best shots at Tucson National Golf Club yesterday.

But when the sand and grass settled, Tucson National stood tall, allowing only four golfers to break par through the halfway point of the Pac-10 menÕs golf championships.

With 36 holes left, upstart Oregon State leads the tournament with a 10-over-par 730. Arizona is in second, five shots back. The 11th-ranked Wildcats lead third-place and third-ranked Stanford by one stroke.

On an otherwise perfect day for golf, Tucson National, home of the PGAÕs Northern Telecom Open, proved it would have a lot of say in who walks away with Pac-10 honors.

Paul Regali of Oregon has led the entire way, shooting 69-71 for a 4-under 140. Anthony Kang of Oregon State is in second, two shots back. Gary Matthews leads the Wildcats and is tied for fifth with a 1-over 145.

Defending Pac-10 champion Jason Gore is tied with UA teammate David Howser in 13th place, seven shots behind at 147.

Howser, who stormed through the first round with a 2-under 70, struggled in the second, ballooning to a 77. He said that tricky pin placements have had a lot to do with the high scores.

"A couple of pins are close to the edge of greens, near trouble,Ó Howser said. ÒGuys are losing shots going for those pins.Ó

With two rounds left and the UA only five shots out, Gore said he liked his teamÕs chances.

"We know what the course is like, that theyÕve put some pins in some hard spots,Ó Gore said. ÒWeÕll be all right, itÕs our home course, we canÕt disappoint the hometown people.Ó

Tournament favorite Arizona State has been a disappointment so far, stuck in a tie for sixth place with UCLA, 12 shots off the lead.

Third-round action began at 7 this morning Read Next Article