The Penn State men's golf team finds itself in the thick of things after its second round at the Pinehurst Intercollegiate in Pinehurst, N.C.

Freshman Kevin Foley led the Nittany Lions in scoring in the second round with a 1-over-par 73. His play helped the team shoot a 10-over-par 298.

The Lions have persevered through cold, windy and firm course conditions on The Centennial Pinehurst No. 8 over the first two rounds to put themselves in a position to possibly win the tournament, which will resume today with final-round competition.

Entering the final round of play today, Penn State finds itself in fourth place in the 18-team field and seven strokes off the pace set by Michigan and Indiana.

"If we shoot in the low 290's it is possible for us to win," Penn State head coach Greg Nye said. "Anywhere between 2 and 4-over-par gives us a chance."

Foley's strong individual performance has him in a tie for eighth place with one round remaining.

Junior Robert Rohanna and freshman Jim Markovitz shot matching 3-over-par 75's to keep the Lions within striking distance.

Rohanna ended the second round in a tie for 20th, while Markovitz is in a tie for 23rd.

"You have to take what the course gives you," Rohanna said. "If you keep the course in front of you it is possible to play a good round."

Foley led the team with a 1-overpar 73 after its first round, tying him for eighth individually. Foley's performance helped the team post an eleven-over-par 299, which was good enough for sixth place entering Tuesday's second round of play.

None of Penn State's five golfers are lower than No. 51 in the 96-player field.

This tournament's first two rounds were an improvement over last weeks in the Cleveland Golf Palmetto, held March 12-13.

Penn State struggled ending the first day in ninth, before finishing eleventh in the 15-team field.

Despite the low team finish, Foley was able to capture a tie for fourth individually, carding a 4-over-par 214 for the three-round event. His score was only six strokes off the medallists'.

"Foley has been the key to our success," Nye said. "He has been playing as well as any freshman I've seen."

Second-round standings

Team Par Total

1T Indiana. +14 590

1T Michigan +14 590

3 SMU +16 592

4 Penn St. +21 597

5 Mississippi +22 598