May 19, 2005
The University of New Mexico men’s golf team shot a four-over-par (284) in the opening round of the NCAA West Regional in Stanford, Calif., today. The Lobos are currently in fifth place overall, trailing BYU who fired a two-under-par (278) today. UNM was led by senior Madalitso Muthiya’s one-under, 69. Muthiya is currently tied for fifth place in the individual race, six strokes behind BYU’s Oscar Alvarez’s seven-under, 63.
Muthiya scorched the front side today with birdies on six, seven and eight to card a 32 going out. He slipped on the backside with bogies at 11 and 15, but still managed to post a score in the 60’s for the first time this season. It was also his best round in three trips to the NCAA Regionals.
Senior Miguel Griego shot an even-par 70 in his opening round and sits in a nine-player tie for 11th pace in the individual race. Griego was one-under-par through the 11th hole, but doubled the 12th and bogied the 13th to drop to two-over. He came right back with two straight birdies on the 14th and 15th to pull back to even par.
Junior sensation Spencer Levin is in a tie for 33rd place after a two-over, 72. He posted bogies on 10 and 18, but could not get a birdie to drop. Fellow junior Jay Chio finished with an eventful, three-over 73 in his first round. He found him self at two-over par after three holes, but managed a birdie on No. 5 to shoot a 36 on the front nine. He bogied 14, 16, and 17, after opening with a birdie, double-bogey and bogey. Chio was able to come back with a birdie on 18 to finish strong. Sophomore Charlie Beljan struggled today with a nine-over 79.
Day-two of the three-round event continues tomorrow and action can be followed live on www.GolfStat.com. UNM needs to finish in the top-10 to advance to the NCAA Championships on June 1-4, in Owings Mills, Md.