May 15, 2009
DALY CITY, Calif. – The University of New Mexico men’s golf team had an up-and-down second round at the NCAA West Regional at the Lake Merced Golf Club, eventually finishing the day with a 4-under-par 280-292=572 for the tournament.
New Mexico now sits three shots out of fifth place for the event entering Saturday’s final round. Only the top five teams from each of the six regional tournaments qualify to play at the National Championship Tournament in Toledo, Ohio later this month.
Arizona State leads the tournament with a 22-under 279-275=554 and is paced by Jesper Kennegard, who is the individual leader with a 10-under 66-68=134. The rest of the top five includes Oregon (282-278=560, -16), San Diego (288-278=566, -10), Texas A&M (281-286=567, -9) and Southern California (285-284=569, -7).
Steve Saunders currently leads New Mexico at 4-under after shooting a 1-over 73 on Friday and is tied for 10th place overall. James Erkenbeck carded a 3-over 75 for his second round and is now tied for 27th place at even par. Also tied for 27th at even par is Tom Carlson, who shot his second consecutive even-par 72 on Day 2. Nick Geyer shot a 1-over 73 to move into a tie for 35th. Jon Sauer shot a 2-over 74 and is now tied for 42nd.
“We’re only three strokes off the number (to get into the National Championship Tournament), so we’re right there in the mix,” said Lobo head coach Glen Millican. “Every team down to about 9th-10th place are all within 9-10 strokes of the number. So it’s still kind of anyone’s game tomorrow.”
Play resumes Saturday at 9:00 a.m. MT, with Jon Sauer the first of the Lobos to tee off at 11:10 a.m.