SHIZUOKA, Japan – The New Mexico men’s golf team began its 2026-27 season on Wednesday in Japan with the opening round of the Pan Pacific University Golf Super League. The Lobos shot 8-under during the first round at Grand Fields Country Club and are tied for third amongst a field that features universities from five different countries.
Nihon University from Japan is the first-round leader at 16-under, followed by TCU at 13-under. The Lobos are tied for third at 8-under with Tohoku Fukushi of Japan. Florida Gulf Coast rounds out the top five at 1-under as only five schools shot under par on Wednesday.
Thayer Plewe led the Lobos on Wednesday by shooting a 4-under 67, T-6th on the individual leaderboard. Johnnie Clark shot a 2-under 69, while Clark Sonnenberg and Dylan Park each shot 1-under in the first round. Wyatt Provence shot 1-over to round out the lineup.
“It’s always exciting to play the first round of the season and see what we have,” said head coach Jake Harrington. “I felt like the team played solid all day. We had a couple of hiccups on the back nine, but overall, I felt like the guys battled out there and played solid golf. Anytime you can count four rounds under par you are doing something right. We are looking forward to getting out there again tomorrow and moving up the leaderboard.”
The tournament, which is in its third season, features collegiate teams from Japan, Scotland, South Korea, Taiwan and the United States. It continues Thursday with the second round and concludes Friday at Grand Fields Country Club.
Men’s Golf in Third After Opening Round in Japan
