SIERRA COUNTY, N.M. –
Jackson Funkhouser is a champion. After putting forth the best performance of his young career, the NM State men's golfer played his way to the top of the leaderboard at the 2026 New Mexico Open hosted at Turtleback Mountain Golf & Resort in Sierra County, N.M.
"Winning this event means the world to me," Funkhouser said. "I went into the event trying to keep a level head and just to do the absolute best I could and I just couldn't be more grateful to come away with a win."
Funkhouser, a native of College Station, Texas, finished the week 23-under, including posting a course-record 11-under 61 on Tuesday to take control of the tournament. He also shot a 65 (-7) on Monday and a 67 (-5) to carry him to the title by seven strokes. On the week, Funkhouser carded a pair of eagles to go along with 24 birdies to pace the field.
The junior competed as one of 28 amateurs and was one of just four amateurs to make the cut. Meanwhile the rest of the field included former Aggie and 2025 New Mexico Open Champion Aidan Thomas, four-time PGA TOUR Winner Notah Begay III, four-time PGA TOUR winner Sean O'Hair, two-time PGA TOUR winner Matt Every, 2022 U.S. Open low amateur Travis Vick and 2018 World Long Drive Champion Maurice Allen among plenty of other talented golfers among a stacked field that made the trip to southern New Mexico.
"My performance in this tournament definitely has given me confidence going forward," Funkhouser continued. "I know that it will give the team some confidence for the rest of the college golf season and confidence to go win tournaments this year"
Funkhouser and the Aggies will continue the 2026-27 season on Sept. 25, when they travel north to compete in the William H. Tucker Intercollegiate hosted by New Mexico. The event will be played at the UNM Championship Golf Course in Albuquerque, N.M.
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