McKINNEY, Texas - Midwestern State's Sam Smith qualified for this weekend's HP Byron Nelson Championship by firing a 68 (-4) in open qualifying Monday afternoon at the Stonebridge Ranch Country Club.

"This is such a great feat for Sam," MSU coach Jeff Ray said. "He played exceptional golf for us this spring. He is working hard and really dedicating himself to the game. He has a great swing."

Smith birdied five out of seven holes during a stretch on the Front Nine and closed the round with eight birdies then outlasted two others in four playoff holes to secure a spot in the 72-hole at TPC Four Seasons Golf Course in Las Colinas.

The Archer City native closed strong with birdies on 13, 15 and 18 to force the playoff. He took advantage of his strong swing to score at a 3-under rate on the course's four Par-5 holes.

Smith joins pros Martin Flores, Robert Gamez and Todd Fischer among those qualifying for the prestigious PGA event as the top four players qualified out of the field of 80.

Follow Smith at the HP Byron Nelson Championship as it airs on The Golf Channel on Thursday and Friday before moving to CBS on Saturday and Sunday. The competition broadcasts from 2-5 p.m. each day.