FLORENCE — The state of Alabama has a chance to claim back-to-back U.S. Amateur champions after the University of North Alabama’s Andrew Ferworn qualified for the 124th U.S. Amateur Championship.

Last year, University of Alabama golfer Nick Dunlap of Huntsville won the prestigious contest.

On Monday, Ferworn, a rising sophomore at UNA, qualified for the U.S. Amateur Championship at Hazeltine, finishing his qualifying round with a four-under-par 66 at the Brook Hollow Golf Club in Dallas.

Ferworn of Houston earned a spot on the ASUN Conference All-Freshman team after recording three top 10 finishes for UNA last spring. His lowest round was a 65 at the Graeme McDowell Invitational last fall.

Now, Ferworn will have an opportunity to represent UNA on the national stage. The U.S. Amateur Championship is scheduled for Aug. 12-18 at Hazeltine National Golf Club in Chaska, Minn.

“It’s awesome to see our Lions competing at the highest level,” said Austin Phillips, UNA men’s golf head coach. “Andrew went through two rounds of qualifying beating some high-quality players, so this is a great accomplishment. The U.S. Amateur is the best amateur event in the world, and we can’t wait to watch him compete.”

In June, Ferworn earned medalist honors at the first qualifier, shooting a four-under-par 68 at the Oakbourne Country Club in Lafayette, La. He was one of just seven qualifiers from a field of 63 golfers.

Fast-forward to Monday, when Ferworn finished tied for fourth. He was one of 16 golfers to advance in the final qualifier.

In the U.S. Amateur Championship, the starting field of 312 players will play 18 holes on Aug. 12 and 13. Afterward, the field will be cut to the low 64 scores. Six rounds of match play begin Aug. 14, and the championship ends Aug. 18. The winner and runner-up are exempt into the following year’s U.S. Open Championship.