After the New Mexico men’s golf team had a heartbreaker at the Mountain West Championship to end April, finishing runner-up to San Diego State after a dramatic playoff. The Lobos took heart with the season-long results as they were selected to the NCAA Purdue Regional.
In the Mountain West Championship, the Lobos didn’t go down without a fight. They started the final day in fifth place but roared back with a scorching 7-under round. They even grabbed the lead on the back nine, reaching a score of 14-under at one point. However, a crucial lost ball by Carson Herron on the 18th hole halted their momentum.
Despite the playoff loss, there were bright spots for the Lobos. Four players cracked the individual top-10, led by Albert Boneta’s impressive T-5th finish with a final-round 68. Matthew Watkins, Bastien Amat, and Carson Herron all tied for 9th at 2-under. Newcomer Oliver Cage, filling in on Sunday, shot a respectable 75.
“I’m incredibly proud of the fight this team showed today,” said Head Coach Jake Harrington. “We went out there, posted a low score early, and gave ourselves a shot to win. Golf can be a cruel game, but we’ll learn from this and come back stronger.”
The disappointment of the Mountain West Championship was short-lived, as the Lobos earned a well-deserved spot in the NCAA West Lafayette Regional. The tournament kicks off May 13th at Purdue University’s Birck Boilermaker Golf Complex.
“Losing at the Mountain West Championship hurt. But that kind of loss gives you a chip on your shoulder and you want to come out and play again and find a way to play throughout the competition,” said Harrington.
The competition will be fierce. New Mexico, ranked 23rd nationally, enters the regional as the 4th seed. They’ll face powerhouses like Vanderbilt, Arizona, and Florida. The top five teams, along with the top individual not on an advancing team, will move on to the NCAA Championships in California.
Speaking with Joe O’Neill, Coach Harrington was looking forward to the competition. “The Purdue Regional is a tough region. This is also one of the toughest courses on the schedule. But we wanted that. We believe in our team and that we can play against anyone, anywhere.”
This marks the Lobos’ 31st NCAA Regional appearance, solidifying their position as a perennial contender. With two wins and seven top-three finishes this season, the Lobos have the momentum and talent to make a deep run in the NCAA Tournament. Look for them to bounce back from the playoff loss and make some noise in Indiana.
“It doesn’t matter who we play against or what course we play at, we like our chances,” said Harrington.