Steve Saunders is having a Most Valuable Player-caliber season in the mold of his favorite athlete - LeBron James.
But Saunders isn't dominating the court; he's unmatched on the golf course.
Saunders won the Mountain West Conference Golf Championships in Tucson, Ariz., capturing the conference individual championship. His three-round total of 204 was the lowest in MWC history. UNM finished fourth overall.
"It's cool to win that tournament," Saunders said. "Especially the conference title. It's pretty awesome. It would have been sweet if our team could have pulled out the team title, though."
Saunders now holds three MWC tournament golf records, one of which he broke with a two-day total of 133, obliterating the previous mark by three strokes. Also, he finished off the field, defeating UNLV's Ji Moon by four strokes - also a tournament record.
"Steve was really impressive at conference," head coach Glen Millican said. "He played really solid this year, especially this semester, and he got really hot in the second round (in Tucson)."
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Saunders shot a record-low 64 in the second round of the MWC Championships.
But the performance hasn't gone to his head, and Saunders remains a leader who puts his team's success before his own.
"Anywhere but first in conference is irrelevant," Saunders said. "We were only four strokes out of tying for first, which is ridiculously close over the course of three rounds. We were right there and basically one shot out with four or five holes to go."
Saunders said it was unfortunate that the Lobos didn't come in first at the MWC Championships, but he said UNM should be competitive heading into the NCAA Regionals on Thursday in San Francisco.
"I think we are (as a team) playing better and better each time," Saunders said. "The last two tournaments, we have made good improvements, but we haven't been able to put it all together yet. I think we kept putting forth a good effort out there. We can play some good golf."
Even though Saunders was named MWC Golfer of the Year, he said there won't be added pressure when the Lobos travel to the NCAA Regionals.
"It is nothing different than any other tournament for me," Saunders said. "Maybe a little bit more extra incentive because it is my last chance to play for a national championship. So, I definitely don't want that one to pass me by. I am going to try my hardest."
After all, Saunders has been in tight situations before. Earlier in the year, Saunders was involved in a shoot-out at the Baron Collegiate Cup in Lakeside, Calif. In the third round, Saunders battled leader Dustin Morris. Saunders was down two strokes with two holes to go.
Saunders was in front of the 17th hole, which was par five and had a stream running across the fairway in front of the green.
"The guy was in pretty bad shape," Saunders said. "(I said), 'If I can eagle this hole, I can beat this guy.'"
Saunders blasted the ball with his two-iron for almost 260 yards, but only birdied and finished in second, three strokes out of first. Still, Saunders said he lives for those moments when the pressure is on.
"It is kind of like LeBron James - they want the ball in their hands with the game on the line," Saunders said. "You want to be like a Tiger Woods and make the winning putt on the last hole."
Men's golf at NCAA West Regionals
Daly City, Calif.
Thursday
All Day
