New Mexico in Third After Second Round of NCAA Salem Regional
SALEM, S.C. –– The New Mexico men’s golf team continued play Tuesday at the 2023 NCAA Salem Regional with the second round at The Cliffs at Keowee Falls. The Lobos shot 9-under during Tuesday’s round to end the day tied for third place at 25-under.
The top five teams in the regional will advance to the NCAA Championship, held later this month in Scottsdale, Ariz. Arkansas is the 36-hole leader at 39-under, while Georgia Tech moved up to second at 32-under. The Lobos and North Carolina are tied for third at 25-under, while Northern Illinois is in the fifth, and final, qualifying position at 23-under. New Mexico will enter the final round seven shots clear of sixth place, as Georgia Southern is at 18-under.
The Lobos, who opened the day in second place, had fallen as low as sixth place midway through Tuesday’s round before taking advantage of the back nine for the second straight day. UNM had 10 birdies and three eagles over the back nine to climb back up to third place.
Albert Boneta shot the low round of the day for New Mexico, carding a bogey-free 4-under 68. He is tied for sixth on the individual leaderboard at 8-under through 36 holes. Matthew Watkins posted a 3-under 69 as he finished strong with two birdies and an eagle over the final four holes. Bastien Amat and Brandon Shong each shot a 1-under 71, while Carson Herron rounded out the lineup with a 73 on Tuesday.
“To be 25-under after two rounds, we will take that because that gives us a chance tomorrow,” said head coach Glen Millican. “I think the conditions were a little more difficult today, with the wind coming from a little different direction and blowing a little stronger. We were still able to take advantage of those holes coming home. We made three birdies on No. 18. We made a couple birdies and an eagle on No. 16 and Brandon made an eagle on No. 14. They finished really well and we picked up some shots over the final few holes.”
The NCAA Salem Regional concludes Wednesday at The Cliffs at Keowee Falls.