In El Paso, Texas, University of New Mexico senior golfer Gavin Green tied a tournament record with a 9-under 62 in the second 18 holes on Saturday and enters Sunday’s final round of the Sun Bowl Western Refining College All-America Golf Classic.
Green, the tournament’s defending champion, is 9 under after 36 holes at 133 (71-62) and has a two-stroke lead over USC’s Rico Hoey (69-66=135). First-round leader Ryan Zech is third at 5-under 137 (66-71) at the El Paso Country Club.
The tournament features 20 collegiate players who earned All-America status last season. Green was a second-team All-America for the Lobos.
According to Golfweek.com, Green was sitting at 2-over for the event through the first 15 holes on Saturday before catching fire with nine birdies and an eagle over his last 21 holes.
“I didn’t even realize I was going really deep until the second nine and I was 4-under standing on No. 1 (his 10th hole) and I was like, ‘All right, let’s get this party started,’ ” said Green, who is ranked No. 13 in the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings.
Golfweek.com reported only one player in the 40-year history of the All-America Golf Classic has won it twice – Clemson’s Chris Patton in 1988 and 1989.
Green’s 62 shares the tournament record with Florida’s Billy Horschel (2006), Vanderbilt’s Luke List (2006) and Billy Simpson of Wake Forest (2007).
Green told Golfweek.com that his previous experience with the course has helped him this year.
“I know where to miss it and where not to, especially on the greens,” said Green, who also noted that his length off the tee is a big factor in El Paso.
The final round is Sunday with Green teeing off at 8:30 a.m.