Steve Souchek qualified earlier this month for his second trip to a U.S. Golf Association final in two years, winning a sudden-death playoff at Aberdeen Golf Course in Eureka, Mo., to earn one of two local berths in the U.S. Amateur Public Links Championship.

Souchek, a Columbia native and 2011 graduate of Gibault Catholic High School who golfs for Southern Illinois University Carbondale, will now play in the 89th and final Amateur Public Links Championship set for July 14-20 at Sand Creek Station Golf Course in Newton, Kan.

Souchek said the key to advancing at Aberdeen was his prior experience in qualifying for the USGA’s Amateur Championship, which took place last August in Brookline, Mass.

“I think with being right in the mix after the first day, that experience gave me a huge advantage over the other players who have not qualified for a USGA championship,” Souchek said.

At Aberdeen, Souchek made par on the sudden-death hole to advance along with Kyle Weldon of St. Louis. There were 42 golfers competing for the two qualifying spots.

Souchek was tied with Mark Gardiner at 142 for the second qualifying spot, leading to the sudden-death playoff.

While he didn’t make the cut in last year’s U.S. Amateur Championship, Souchek is excited for his second chance in a USGA final.

He thinks the level of competition may be slightly lower than what was seen at Brookline, because a handful of the top amateur players will not be in the field due to their membership at private clubs.

“But it is still the second most prestigious amateur championship in the United States,” Souchek said.

Souchek will begin his senior year at SIUC in August.