Lobos Have Strong Opening Day of Southern Highlands Intercollegiate

LAS VEGAS, Nev. –– Competing against one of the strong fields of any tournament this year, the New Mexico men’s golf team had a strong start to the Southern Highlands Collegiate during Sunday’s opening round at Southern Highlands Golf Club. Playing against 11 of the top 30 teams in the nation, the Lobos shot 7-over during the first round to be tied for third place after 18 holes.

Second-ranked Auburn was the only team to shoot under par on Sunday and is the first round leader at 1-under. Host UNLV is second at 2-over, followed by the Lobos and No. 24 Pepperdine tied for third at 7-over. Ninth-ranked Virginia is fifth at 9-over, while No. 12 Illinois (14-over), No. 26 Texas A&M (14-over), No. 22 San Diego State (15-over) and No. 16 Georgia Tech (15-over) round out the top eight.

Alvaro Portillo and Wyatt Provence led the Lobos on Sunday, each shooting an even par round of 72. They are tied for sixth on the individual leaderboard. Carson Herron shot 3-over, Mesa Falleur shot 4-over and Clark Sonnenberg shot 7-over to round out the UNM lineup.

The Southern Highlands Collegiate continues Monday and concludes Tuesday in Las Vegas.