Golf: Aggies Set 54-hole Program Record, Finish Second at Bombs Darts Birdies Collegiate

NM State’s 817 (-47) marks new program record.

Source: NMSU Athletics
By Michael Navarrette
Images: Courtesy

LAS CRUCES, N.M. – The NM State men’s golf team delivered a record-setting performance at the Bombs Darts Birds Collegiate, finishing second in a 13-team field after three rounds at Whirlwind Golf Club to start the 2026 campaign. The Aggies posted a program-record 54-hole score of 817 (-47), finishing just three strokes behind team champion Santa Clara (814, -50).
 
Santa Clara claimed the team title after closing with a 273 (-15) in the final round, while Arkansas State’s Jake Lile earned low individual honors at 17-under par (199) for the tournament.
 
With the second-place finish, the Aggies also finished atop four Power Four programs as they out-performed Stanford, Southern California, Baylor and California.

CUSA Co-Men’s Golfer of the Week – Kostka Horno, NM State – Jr. – Sotogrande, Spain
Horno tied for the best finish by an Aggie as he shot 13-under, tying for seventh at the Bombs Darts Birds Collegiate in Maricopa, Ariz. He posted the second-lowest final-round score as he shot a 65 (-7) on Tuesday, moving him 13 spots up the leaderboard. Horno recorded 13 birdies and one eagle on the week. The junior helped the Aggies shoot a team-record 54-hole score of 817 (-47) for a second place finish.
 
CUSA Co-Men’s Golfer of the Week – Mateo Payán, NM State – Jr. – Cali, Colombia
Payán tied for the best finish by an Aggie, shooting 13-under and tying for seventh at the Bombs Darts Birds Collegiate in Maricopa, Ariz. He shot 67-68-68 to serve as one of the most consistent golfers in the field. This included a bogey-free 68 in the second round of the tournament. Throughout the week he recorded 14 birdies and one eagle. The junior also helped the Aggies shoot a team-record 54-hole score of 817 (-47). With this, the Aggies finished just three strokes off the team champion and submitted better finishes than all four Power Four programs in the field including Stanford, USC, Baylor and California.

The Aggies were paced by the trio of Kostka Horno, Mateo Payán and Max Chan, who all recorded top-11 finishes. Horno and Payan each tied for seventh at 13-under par (203), while Chan finished tied for 11th at 11-under (205). Horno closed out the event with a final-round 65 (-7), which represented the second lowest score among the 81-man field. Meanwhile, Payan carded rounds of 67, 68 and 68 to serve as one of the most consistent players in the field. Additionally, Chan opened the tournament with a 66 (-6) and shot under par in all three rounds.

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Brasen Briones also contributed to the Aggies’ runner-up finish, placing tied for 45th at 4-under (212) after firing a 67 (-5) in the second round. In his first collegiate action, Frank Cabeza, competed as an individual and finished tied for 59th at 214 (-2).
 
NM State posted rounds of 270, 272 and 275 to finish at 47-under par for the tournament. The Aggies and were also one of only four teams to finish double digits under par in all three rounds.
 
For complete coverage of NM State Men’s Golf, follow us on X (@NMStateMGolf), Instagram (@NMStateMGolf) and Facebook (NM State Men’s Golf). You can also follow along with Aggie Men’s Golf via NMStateSports.com.