BOULDER CITY, Nev. – Garrison Smith has punched his ticket to the NCAA Tournament after winning the individual title at the WAC Men’s Golf Championships. Over the course of three days. Smith broke the 21-year old WAC Men’s Golf Championship record by shooting a 197 (-19).

Smith became the first individual champion for NM State since 2014 when Pay Beyhan won. On the final day, Smith shot a 68 (-4), including an eagle on hole 14 to run away the individual title. No player managed to stay within seven shots of Smith with Davis Heslington of Utah Tech finishing as the runner up (204, -12).

As a team, NM State finishes in second place, shooting 835 on the weekend. The Aggies were edged out by Grand Canyon on the final day as the Lopes clinched the team title. GCU matched the conference’s team-scoring record with an 830 (-34) throughout the tournament.

Aidan Thomas and Javier Delgadillo joined Smith inside the top ten of the tournament. Delgadillo, a freshman from El Paso, tied for sixth after shooting eight-under (208). On Sunday, Delgadillo went three-under on the back nine to finish at 70 (-2).

Thomas, who is no stranger to elite finishes at the WAC Men’s Golf Tournament Championships, tied for ninth in the 2023 edition. Thomas finished just one shot behind Delgadillo, firing a 209 (-7) over the three rounds. The Albuquerque native posted the lowest score for NM State on Sunday, turning a 67 (-5) in the final round.

Smith will turn his focus to the NCAA Regionals in the coming weeks. The NCAA Division I Men’s Golf Selection will take place on Wednesday, May 3 on the GOLF Channel.

Final Round Notes

  • Garrison Smith broke the WAC 54-hole individual scoring record by shooting a 197 (-19). The previous record of 198 had stood since 2002.
  • Smith becomes the first individual champion from NM State since Pat Beyhan in 2014.
  • With the individual title, Smith earns a berth to the NCAA Tournament. Smith’s destination will be announced on Wednesday, May 3 on the GOLF Channel.
  • Aidan Thomas picked up his third top-ten finish at the WAC Men’s Golf Championships.
  • Freshman Javier Delgadillo added a top-ten finish as well – The first of his championship career.
  • NM State finished in second place as a team, falling to Grand Canyon by five strokes.