NMJC Golfer Matthis Lefèvre Wins Pro Event
New Mexico Junior College sophomore golfer Matthis Lefèvre won the 2022 IPS New Mexico Open at Rockwind Community Links in Hobbs, NM Friday, Sept. 16.
The victory was the first time an amateur has won the professional event in over 50 years with Ben Kern last doing it in 1968. Lefèvre's three-round total of 19-under par (64-68-62) was one stroke ahead of runner-up finishers Logan McCracken (-18) and Blake Abercrombie (-18).
The T-Bird golfer's final round 62 matched the par 71 course record set in round one by McCracken. During the tournament, Rockwind played as a par 71 compared to its usual par 72.
Lefèvre (-10) began the final day five strokes behind the 36-hole leader McCracken (-15). Lefèvre started the afternoon even through three holes, before beginning his charge up the leaderboard with a birdie on hole No. 4.
The sophomore would go on to birdie five out of his next six holes to grab a 3-stroke lead over Abercrombie and McCracken with eight holes to play. Lefèvre stumbled with a bogey on No. 11, before bouncing back with a birdie on No. 12.
Two holes later, Lefèvre would make an eight-foot eagle putt on hole No. 14 after hitting a miraculous approach shot from underneath a tree. Pars on holes 15-17 led him to the 18th tee with a one-shot lead.
Following the tee shot, Lefèvre walked down the 18th fairway tied for the lead at 18-under par after a string of late birdies from Abercrombie, including one on hole No. 17 to tie for the lead.
The par-5 18th proved to be the deciding factor in the tournament with Lefèvre hitting the green on his second shot and two-putting the hole for birdie to take the lead.
McCracken would knock in an eagle putt from the fringe on 18, but it was not enough as he came up one-shot short in a tie for second. Abercrombie, who was in the group behind Lefèvre with McCracken, missed his approach shot short and was unable to get up and down for birdie to tie Lefèvre.
Lefèvre was promptly showered with water bottles by his NMJC teammates, who all followed his back-nine heroics as he claimed his first professional victory at the New Mexico Open.
The win was a bittersweet moment for the Hossegor, France native as he was playing with a heavy heart due to the passing of his grandfather earlier in the week.
"My mother was crying, she told me that this trophy is for your grandfather, I played for him today," Lefèvre said. "They are all the way back in France so proud, it's late but they stayed up to cheer for me."
Lefèvre will head home with two new pieces of hardware from the New Mexico Open. He is now the proud owner of the champion trophy and the low amateur trophy.
"I told myself to trust the process and remember all the hours I spent practicing," Lefèvre said. "I knew that if I stayed calm and positive, I could win."
NMJC head coach Jay Rees was elated with the performance he saw from his star sophomore.
"I am so proud of him, he is the best player I've ever had," Rees said. "He was five shots back going into the final day and I said it's going to take a great one to win but if anyone can shoot a great one it is Matthis and he did. I feel like the whole golf community in Hobbs is excited about this win and the team we will have this year at NMJC."
Lefèvre led the field in birdies with 22 on the week, adding one eagle to finish with a three-round score of 194 (-19) in the 54-hole event.
