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WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The University of New Mexico men’s golf team shot an even-par 288 to finish day one of the NCAA Golf Regionals in a two-way tie for second-place. The Lobos are just one shot off UNLV for the lead. The top five teams advance to the NCAA National Championships at Rich Harvest Farms, outside of Chicago, May 26-31.
The Lobos were propelled by the performances of Andrej Bevins, Andre Garcia and Gustavo Morantes, all of whom finished tied for seventh overall at 1-under.
Bevins’ day started off with a birdie, but saw some struggles closing out his opening nine. On the back nine however, Bevins found his stride, opening with consecutive birdies on holes 10-11, and eventually closed out the day with five total birdies, good for the second-most in the field.
He also tallied top-3 scoring performances in par-4 (3.80) and par-5 (4.50) categories.
Andre Garcia also followed suit with an opening-hole birdie, and had three birdies on the back nine, including back-to-back birdies on holes 14-15. Garcia finished the day with the second-most birdies and the second-lowest par-4 scoring average.
Rounding out the trio of Lobos at tied for seventh overall is Gustavo Morantes, whose day was far more tame through the opening stretch, where he came in at 1-over 37. His afternoon however, was far more exciting. He birdied three holes in a four-hole stretch, en route to closing his homeward nine out at 2-under.
Morantes’ recovery helped propel him into the fourth-lowest par-4 and par-5 scoring averages and the third-lowest par-3 scoring average.
Sean Carlon’s day was marked by his signature consistency, however his closing stretch put him behind the curve. Eventually he finished the day a 4-over as part of a nine-way tie for 37th.
Closing out the Lobos list is Benjamin Tolsma who — playing in the five slot — recorded a 11-over 83 and currently sits as part of a three-way tie for 73rd.
As for the team statistics for the Lobos, the team led the field in par-4 scoring and total birdies.
Despite the near-perfect scoring conditions, the Kampen Course showed its teeth, with just five holes playing under-par for the day and the 17th hole — the hardest of the day — played at 0.79 strokes over par. At days end the scoring average came in at 74.81, the second-highest average of the six regionals across the country.
The competition is nonetheless stiff, with 10 teams within 10 shots of the lead after opening day action.
UNLV was the only team under par, shooting a 1-under par 287, while Illinois and eighth-seeded New Mexico are tied for second at even-par. South Carolina is fourth at 3-over par 291, while Purdue, Florida and Auburn are all tied for fifth. Saint Mary’s is eighth at 6-over par, while Augusta (296) and Richmond (297) are all within striking distance.
Play resumes Tuesday, and live scoring will be available via golfstat.com.
Lobos Tied for Second After Regional First Round
