PROVO, Utah – In the final tune-up before the WAC Men's Golf Championship, the NM State golf team finished eighth at the 57th Cougar Classic. The Aggies made their way up the leaderboard in the final round and ended on a high-note.
 
Completing the second round on Saturday morning, the Aggies found themselves in ninth place, shooting 584 (+3) through 36 holes.
 
NM State posted its best round of the tournament in Saturday's third round, posting a one-under-par 287. An eagle from Aidan Thomas helped pace the Aggies in the final round. Thomas and Garrison Smith both shot a 70 (-2) in Saturday's round for the low scores of the day.
 
Round Two

• Play was suspended for the second round at 8:10 p.m. MDT on Friday. The first day of competition was delayed multiple times due to rain, lightning, and hail.
• Aidan Thomas and Joseph Robson both shot even par over the 18 holes to lead the Aggies. Thomas birdied holes two and three to heat up and find his rhythm.
• As a team, the Aggies were in ninth place following the second round.

Round Three

• Garrison Smith birdied four times, including a pair between holes 13 and 15, to post a team-best 70 (-2) on Saturday.
• Aidan Thomas matched the 70 from Smith to share the low score for NM State. Thomas drained an eagle on 13 before birdieing 14 for one of the most thrilling spans of golf in the Cougar Classic.
• Joseph Robson and Matthew Jackman matched Smith with a team-high four birdies in the final round. Robson birdied back-to-back holes on one and two to give the Aggies a boost.
• Robson finished just one shot behind Thomas and Smith, shooting a 71 (-1) in the final round.
• The Aggies managed to climb past Pacific in the final round, moving into eighth place.

PING Cougar Classic | NM State results
9.         NM State | 291 – 293 – 287 = 871
 
Individual (After round one)
T13.     Aidan Thomas | 70 – 72 – 70 = 212 (-4)
T27.     Garrison Smith | 72 – 75 – 70 = 217 (+1)
T30.     Joseph Robson | 75 – 72 – 71 = 218 (+2)
T60.     Alvaro Morales | 74 – 74 – 78 = 226 (+10)
T70.     Matthew Jackman | 78 – 75 – 76 =229 (+13)