Michael Salazar (Grand Canyon photo)

Salazar, whose senior season at Grand Canyon University was cut short by the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, started the day three shots behind overnight leader Ryo Harada of Japan and Las Cruces, N.M. Harada, whose rounds of 70-68 gave him a two-shot lead, never could get anything going in the final round, dropping four shots before finally picking up his first birdie at the final hole for a 73 and a tied fourth place finish.

Salazar didn't immediately take advantage however, starting slowly with two bogeys in the first four holes. But he righted the ship with three birdies by the turn to go out in even par, and then caught fire on the back nine, coming home in 30 with three birdies and a hole-out eagle at the par-4 11th. He closed his round with two straight birdies for a three shot win at 4 under par.

Horizon City is on the eastern edge of El Paso, and the Eastwood High School graduate Salazar was playing home game this week. Another local product, Javier Delgadillo, closed with a 66 to climb into a second-place tie with Aidan Thomas of Bernalillo, N.M. and New Mexico State University.

Salazar is no stranger to low numbers. Two summers ago, he shot a final-round 62 to finish fifth in the Texas State Open and earn low amateur honors. He won his first college event this past season at the Mark Simpson Invitational hosted by the University of Colorado.

The New Mexico - West Texas Amateur is essentially the state championship of New Mexico, but with cities like El Paso so far away from any of the larger population centers of Texas where its state championships are played, players from there are eligible to compete in the event.