GARDEN CITY, N.Y. – Jordan Cowart, a 2015 graduate of Southwestern University, qualified for the 2016 U.S. Amateur Championship on Monday, as the former Pirate standout finished third at an event held at Garden City Country Club.

"I'm ecstatic," Cowart said after earning a bid. "I've missed qualifying by one or two shots the last few years, so I knew I was ready to realize this dream."

Cowart, a native of Austin, shot an even-par 140 (70-70) in the 36-hole qualifier, finishing only two strokes off the pace. He birdied four holes and logged 14 pars to become the program's second-ever qualifier for the U.S. Amateur Championship.

"I didn't have my 'A' game," Cowart added. "I followed my game plan, stayed patient and trusted my process. I've put in the work and knew I was better prepared than anyone out there."

Cowart had a star-studded career while at Southwestern. He finished third at the 2014 NCAA Championships and was named a PING second-team All-American.

The 116th U.S. Amateur Championship will take place Aug. 15-21 at Oakland Hills Country Club in Bloomfield Township, Michigan. Since the inaugural event in 1895, the U.S. Amateur has enjoyed an illustrious history of great champions, including Bobby Jones, Chick Evans, Phil Mickelson, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Tiger Woods.

– SOUTHWESTERN –