May 16, 2009
DALY CITY, Calif. — The 37th-ranked University of New Mexico men’s golf team shot a 6-under-par 282 in its final round at NCAA West Regional at the Lake Merced Golf Club. The Lobos finished the tournament with a 10-under 854, one stroke short of tying No. 2 USC and forcing a playoff for the fifth and final spot in the National Championship tournament.
Steve Saunders led the Lobos with a 3-under 69 on the final day. The senior finished tied for seventh place at 7-under after carding a three-round total of 67-73-69=209. James Erkenbeck finished tied for 24th after carding a 2-under 69-75-70=214. Nick Geyer finished at even-par after shooting a 1-under 71 on the final day. Geyer’s three-round total of 72-73-71=216 tied him for 31st place at the regional.
Jon Sauer capped off his senior campaign with a third-round 72, finishing 2-over and tied for 43rd with a three-round total of 72-74-72=218. Tom Carlson finished three-over and tied for 48th place, shooting a 3-over 75 on the final day to bring his three-round total to 72-72-75=219.
Arizona State finished at 36-under to claim top honors at the regional, with Oregon finishing second at 27-under, Texas A&M third at 24-under and San Diego fourth at 15-under. The Sundevils’ Jepser Kennengard carded a 12-under 66-68-70=204 to win the individual title.