MARICOPA, Az. (May 21, 2026) – The University of North Alabama men's golf team was one of 10 teams selected to compete in the prestigious postseason National Golf Invitational tournament hosted by Golfweek in Maricopa, Az., which begins on May 22 at Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club.
Tournament Information
National Golf Invitational hosted by Golfweek
Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club
Maricopa, Az.
18 Holes on Friday, May 22
18 Holes on Saturday, May 23
18 Holes on Sunday, May 24
Live Stats
NOTES
LAST TIME OUT: UNA climbed two spots to finish seventh at the 2026 Atlantic Sun Conference Championship hosted at Kinderlou Forest Golf Club in Valdosta, Ga. The Lions were one of three teams to shoot under par that Thursday alongside Jacksonville and the team winner, FGCU. The Dolphins and Eagles finished three-under par while the Lions finished one-under for the round. Junior Andrew Ferworn led the Lions through the entirety of the tournament as he finished in ninth overall. The Houston, Texas native shot 67-72-74 through the three days with 11 birdies and one eagle. He had four different nine-hole stretches that were under-par with a round one front nine of 33 for his lowest. Ferworn finished in fifth on par-5s as he was five-under on those holes. North Alabama slipped in the second round but had a steady day to elevate into a seventh-place finish. All but Ferworn climbed spots on the final day of the tournament; Xing Luo finished 26th, Sebastian Bengtsson in 30th, Jedd Brady in 35th and Blake Henriques in 62nd.
THE BREAKDOWN: Golfweek is hosting the tournament that includes 10 schools, hand-picked by the organization to compete. The course is a par 72 and spans 7,439 yards with it being a 54-hole stroke-play tournament.
THE FIELD: This year's field includes teams from eight different conferences and three top-100 ranked opponents aside from North Alabama in Missouri (88th), Grand Canyon (92nd) an Augusta (99th). Only one team from the 2025 NGI returns in Rhode Island who finished fourth last year. Tennessee Tech and Mercer join the tournament as the two closest programs in proximity to North Alabama. Tennessee Tech will join Mercer in the SoCon next season.
SENIOR SEND-OFF: North Alabama is sending seniors Bengtsson, Luo, Henriques and Corey Maher to Arizona for this tournament. The four seniors have been important pieces to the uprising of UNA golf over the past few seasons. These four seniors have combined for 12 total seasons in the purple and white; all but Luo joined the team when Austin Phillips arrived in 2023.
FIRSTS OF FIRSTS: A season ago, Luo broke through with the first selection to an NCAA Regional at the Division I level. A year later, the Lions broke through as a team for their first postseason selection as a group. The last time North Alabama made a postseason tournament was in 2017 when they finished ninth in the Division II National Championship tournament.
WHAT IS THE NGI?: Four seasons ago, the NCAA announced that teams could play in one season-ending event. Known as the NIT of collegiate golf, the NGI returns for its fourth year at the Ak-Chin Southern Dunes Golf Club. This year's men's tournament includes an exemption to a PGA Tour event. The individual winner of the 2026 NGI will punch a ticket to the Butterfield Bermuda Championship set for Oct. 22-26 at Port Royal Golf Course in Southampton, Bermuda.
SO LONG, SKIPPER: Recently announced, head coach Austin Phillips departs North Alabama for the head coach position Old Dominion. Entering this weekend, he has 267 total wins for a 65.4 win percentage and even recorded his 10th career NCAA win this last season at Turtle Point in Fall 2025. He coached two players — Luo and Ferworn — to NCAA Regional appearances as individuals — the first time at the Division I level. He had 19 top-five finishes in the 34 tournaments he coached across his three seasons with the Lions. Now, the skipper rides off into the sunset following the first Division I team postseason tournament.
Starting Lineup:
TEAM
1. Sebastian Bengtsson — Sr. — Helsingborg, Sweden
2. Xing Luo — Sr. — Katy, Texas
3. Corey Maher — Sr. — Frisco, Texas
4. Luke Davis — R-Fr. — Athens, Ala.
5. Blake Henriques — Sr. — Canton, Ga.
2026 National Golf Invitational Field
Augusta (West Coast Conference)
Grand Canyon (Mountain West Conference)
Mercer (Southern Conference)
Missouri (SEC)
Nevada (Mountain West Conference)
North Alabama (Atlantic Sun)
Rhode Island (Atlantic 10)
Tennessee Tech (Ohio Valley)
William & Mary (CAA)
Wyoming (Mountain West)
For more information on North Alabama Athletics, visit www.roarlions.com and follow UNA Athletics on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
