TEXARKANA, Ark. – Harding golfer Lucas Collins tied for sixth of 84 golfers Tuesday at the United States Amateur Qualifier at Texarkana Country Club.

Only the top three finishers qualified for the 112th U.S. Amateur Championship at Cherry Hills Country club in Denver, Colo., on August 13-19. Despite Collins' near miss, Harding head coach Dustin Howell said that Collins has a bright future.

“I am so very proud of Lucas and his work ethic,” Howell said. “He has been out every day in the 100-degree weather, shaping up his game this summer. I am looking forward to his fall season.”

Collins, a native of Harrison, Ark., shot a 1-under 71 in round one and followed that with a 3-under 69 in the second round for a 140 total. His best two-round tournament score during Harding's 2011-12 season was a 146 at the Natural State Golf Classic, played at Red Apple Country Club in Heber Springs, Ark.

Connor Black, a 16-year-old from Houston, Texas, won the qualifier with a 13-under, 131. Drew Evans of Dallas was second at 9-under, and Jade Scott of Daingerfield, Texas was third at 7-under, just three strokes ahead of Collins. Evans and Scott are both members of Texas A&M's golf team.