ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — University of New Mexico senior Sam Saunders on Wednesday earned Mountain West Men’s Golfer of the Week honors.
Saunders shot a career-best 10-under-par 206 over 54 holes on Saturday and Sunday at the 3M Augusta Invitational.
The La Cueva High School grad’s round included a 6-under 66 during his first round on Saturday, also a career best.
He tied for fourth place, another Lobo-best performance and led UNM to a 26-under 838 score that toppled the15-team field at the Forest Hills Country Club in Augusta, Ga. Also competing in the event were No. 2 Illinois and No. 3 Texas.
The Lobos’ victory was the 28th career win for coach Glen Millican, tying him with Dick McGuire for the school’s all-time record for tournament wins.
Saunders honors gives the UNM men’s golf team back-to-back award-winners. Senior Gavin Green won last week after earning co-medalist honors at the Hootie’s at Bulls Bay Intercollegiate in Awendaw, S.C.
Saunders is the first Lobo this season other than Green to earn MW recognition. Green also earned co-Mountain West Player of the Month awards in October and November (in the fall, the honor is a monthly award).
The honor is the first of Saunders’ Lobo career.
The Lobos next will compete in the Red Raider Shootout in Lubbock, Texas, on April 18. UNM will take on No. 3 Texas and No. 33 TCU in separate match-play rounds.