Darren Fichardt on Sunday birdied the 18th hole at the Joburg Open to win his fifth European Tour title and secure his place in the field at the 2017 Open Championship.
The Joburg, shortened to 54 holes by inclement weather on Saturday, offered Open exemptions for the leading three players who finished inside the top 10 and weren’t already qualified.
Those exemptions are going Fichardt, the champion, and his two runner-ups Stuart Manley and Paul Waring.
Fichardt, 41, will make his sixth Open appearance and first since 2010. He has missed the cut in all five prior starts.
Waring, 32, has played in The Open twice, missing the cut in 2007 and finishing T-19 in 2008 at Royal Birkdale, where he’ll return this July.
Manley, 38, will be making his major debut.
The next Open Qualifying Series event will be the Mizuno Open in Japan from May 25-28, with four spots available for players who finish in the top 12.
This year’s Open Championship will be played at Royal Birkdale from July 20-23.
