ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The New Mexico women’s golf team began its 2026-27 season Monday with the first two rounds of the Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational, its home event at the UNM Championship Course. As play was suspended due to weather late in round 2, the Lobos are in third place at 6-under, one shot behind the co-leaders.
UNLV and Pepperdine ended day one tied for the lead, each at 7-under, as most players have around four holes remaining in the second round. The Lobos are one shot back at 6-under, as only three teams in the 13-team field are under par. UNM held the first-round lead at 8-under, but are 2-over through 14-16 holes of the second round. Montana State (8-over) and UTEP (9-over) round out the top five.
Ava Cepeda led UNM on Monday, shooting a 4-under 68 in the first round and 2-under through 14 holes of the second round to sit in second place individually at 6-under. View Udkamtiang, making her Lobo debut, is T-5th at 2-under overall. Ciara Rushmer is also in the top 10, T-9th at 1-under late in the second round. Chelsea Truong is at 3-over and Julia Gelma rounds out the lineup at 11-over. Among the four Lobo individuals, Sara Montejo Rey is T-18th at 2-over in her collegiate debut.
“It had been a while since we had a good, low under-par round, so to start this season with an 8-under first round was great. I am so impressed with their demeanor and how they handled themselves. They fought hard in the first round. The weather came in and we made some mistakes in the second round, but we are in a good position headed into tomorrow.”
The tournament will resume Tuesday morning at 7:30 am with the conclusion of the second round, followed by the final round at the UNM Championship Course. Admission is free.
Lobos in Contention After Day One of Branch Law Firm/Dick McGuire Invitational
