Sunday 1 March 2015 17:49, UK
Andy Sullivan, David Howell and Anthony Wall have booked their places at the Open Championship in July following their performances at the Joburg Open.
Sullivan closed with a 66 to clinch a two-shot victory, his second win in South Africa in eight weeks after also claiming the South African Open title in January, while his two English compatriots faltered down the stretch as they earned a share of second.
The Joburg Open was the third event in the Open Qualifying Series, in which three places at St Andrews were up for grabs to players not already exempt. Howell and Wall finished joint runners-up along with Wallie Coetsee, Jaco Van Zyl and Kevin Phelan, but the English pair qualified by virtue of their superior world rankings.
Sullivan said: "This year has been a rollercoaster. I have never played in an Open Championship before so it will be great to get the first one under my belt. It’s unbelievable to get the win and a spot in The Open at St Andrews. It’s absolutely fantastic."
The 28-year-old vaulted into contention with five birdies in eight holes on the front nine and, after a dropped shot at the 11th, he picked up further shots at the 15th and final holes to seal another impressive win.
It’s unbelievable to get the win and a spot in The Open at St Andrews. It’s absolutely fantastic
"It's unbelievable," he added. "I never imagined it would happen again so quickly. Coming down the stretch me and my caddie were loving life again and enjoying it. It seems to be a theme, enjoying my golf and getting the right results at the moment.
"I am on the crest of a wave at the moment and I don't want it to end. I just want it to keep going. I want to say a big thank you to my coach Jamie Gough, who has really turned it around, and my psychologist Lee Crombleholme who has been exceptional this week, working hard on being patient out there.
"I am just grateful it has all paid off and I get to hold another magnificent trophy in South Africa again."
Open consolation
Howell led until pulling his tee shot at the 14th into water, but he was thrilled to learn that he would be playing in his first Open at St Andrews - the scene of his last European Tour victory in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in 2013.
"I am absolutely delighted about that, that was one of the main reasons I came down here," he said. "I have not played an Open at St Andrews and I'm not getting any younger so I knew my chances were running out. I am going to really enjoy it.
"I played beautifully, probably made three really bad swings all week and they cost me shots each time. Just hit one left on 14 that cost me a shot and then couldn't find the putts coming in.
"It's not been the best start to the year and this is the first really good performance, which has been great. Frustrating not to finish it off because I gave myself a great chance, but it wasn't to be.
I came here specifically to qualify for The Open and to win the tournament, so to come away with one of those two things is fantastic
"I haven’t performed well here over the years and I came here specifically to qualify for The Open and to win the tournament, so to come away with one of those two things is fantastic. It means a lot to play again in The Open. It was one of my goals this year and I’m delighted to have made it.”
Wall, who carded a final round of 68 featuring an eagle, four birdies and two bogeys - the second of which was at the 15th where he also found water.
"It's very disappointing because I was really feeling good about today," he said. "A win is a win, but to play in the Open, especially at St Andrews, will be lovely.
"It’s fantastic. It will be great to play there. It’s the ultimate place to play golf and The Open."
The Open Qualifying Series continues at the Irish Open hosted by The Rory Foundation and the Mizuno Open which will be played in the final week of May.
