Bethlehem native Matthew Vital will compete in the John Shippen Men’s Invitational this weekend at the Detroit Golf Club.

The 18-year-old Liberty graduate and Temple University freshman is the youngest participant in the 14-player field, which features a field of top pro and amateur Black golfers.

The champion earns an exemption into the PGA Tour’s Rocket Mortgage Classic on June 27-30 at the same location.

The tournament winner will take home $13,200 from a $22,000 purse. Second place will earn $6,600 and $2,200 will go to the third-place finisher.

Players up to 41-years-old will be competing in the 36-hole event, along with defending champion Chase Johnson.

Johnson made the most of his opportunity by firing back-to-back rounds of 70 and securing his first PGA Tour cut. It also marked the first time in the tournament’s three-year history that the John Shippen winner made it to the weekend.

“The John Shippen Men’s Invitational provides a platform to showcase some of the best professional and amateur men’s Black golfers in the game, and we’re thrilled to grant the winner an exemption to the PGA Tour’s Rocket Mortgage Classic next month,” said Jason Langwell, Executive Director of the Rocket Mortgage Classic. “This event not only celebrates golf’s storied legacy, but also champions a future where diversity and excellence thrive on the course. We’re eagerly looking forward to welcoming such exceptional talent back to Detroit Golf Club and we welcome fans to join us to enjoy the final round on Sunday.”