The Open International Final Qualifying – Africa was played at the par-71 Royal Johannesburg and Kensington East course and South African Darren Fichardt shared top honours with Jean Hugo to win a coveted place in the 150th Anniversary Open Championship at St. Andrews on 15-18 July.

Josh Cunliffe sank a twenty foot putt for eagle on the fourth hole of the play-off for the one spot remaining. The other two players in the play-off were Holland's Joost Luiten and Oliver Bekker.

All three made par on the 10th, the opening hole of the playoff, and made birdie on the 18th, which was the second. So it was off to the 10th again, where Cunliffe had his first chance at finishing things off as his birdie attempt shaved the hole. There was to be no mistake on 18, where he saw his fast, snaking downhill 20-footer go into the hole.

It is the second time Cunliffe has qualified – he played at Royal Birkdale two years ago – and it’s almost sweeter for him this time: “It’s going to be awesome to play at St. Andrews,” he said. “Oliver’s a mate of mine, so it’s tough to have had to beat him to get in, but he is young and his time will come,” added Cunliffe.