Cougars in seventh at prestigious Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate

Birmingham, Ala.--BYU's seventh-ranked men's golf team is in seventh place after two rounds at the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate on Monday.

Eleven of the 12 teams competing are ranked in the top 25 including seven of the top 10 teams in the country.

"It's the elit of the elite out here today," BYU head coach Bruce Brockbank said. "These eastern boys are showing us how to play, but hopefully that will make us hungry in the off-season. It's a great trip and a privelege to be here."

BYU hasn't been invited to the Jerry Pate in the past because it usually is played on Sunday. But because of the success of last year's squad, BYU was invited to play and the tournament was moved to a Monday-Tuesday format.

The Cougars were led by Manuel Merizalde who shot 74-69-143. Merizalde, who recently finished third at the prestigious Ping Preview, was on course for a sub-par second round before shooting a couple of bogies on the back nine.

Merizalde was followed by senior Jesse Hibler at 71-73-144 and Billy Harvey and Scott Miller are tied for 31st at 145.

Sixth ranked Tech 282-271--553 is the team leader going into the final round with a two-stroke lead against Georgia 277-278--555, the defending NCAA national champions and No. 1 ranked team in the country.

Georgia Tech's Bryce Molder backed his ranking as the nation's No. 1 collegiate golfer Monday afternoon shootng a course record 62, nine under par, in the second round.

TEAM SCORES
1. Georgia Tech 	282-271--553 	-15 
2. Georgia 	277-278--555 	-13 
3. Clemson 	287-270--557 	-11 
4. Oklahoma State 	285-281--566 	-2 
4. UAB 	286-280--566 	-2 
6. Southern California 	285-287--572 	+4 
7. BYU 	288-287--575 	+7 
7. Houston 	284-291--575 	+7 
9. Alabama 	293-286--579 	+11 
10. Auburn 	299-283--582 	+14 
11. Arizona 	293-290--583 	+15 
12. UNLV 	289-295--584 	+16 
INDIVIDUAL SCORES
t22 Manuel Merizalde	74-68--143  +1
t25 Jesse Hibler	71-73--144 +2
t31 Scott Miller	68-77--145  +3
t31 Billy Harvey	75-70--145  +3
t53 Kyle Wight	77-75--152  +10