Ireland’s Kevin Phelan just misses out after closing 66 at Joburg Open

Kevin Phelan's career-best finish as a professional in the Joburg Open proved to be a case of "so near yet so far" on the double for the Waterford man: the 24-year-old closed out with a final round 66 in the Joburg Open to secure a share of second place, two strokes behind England's Andy Sullivan, and then discovered he had also narrowly missed out on a place in the British Open.

With three places to the Open at St Andrews available to the three leading finishers through the R&A's international qualifying system, Sullivan earned one for his win and his compatriots David Howell and Anthony Wall - who also finished in a five-way share of second alongside Phelan and Jaco van Zyl - claimed the other available spots due to their superior world rankings.

Phelan, who lost his tour card in his rookie season last year, claimed a cheque for €80,600 for his runner-up finish to move him to 50th in the latest Race to Dubai standings. And his top-five finish also earned him an exemption into the field for this week’s Africa Open.

“I was just plodding along the first three days, but got the putts to drop (in the final round) and gave myself a chance,” said Phelan of a final round that featured eight birdies in a 66 for 272 that enabled him to leapfrog 17 places up the leaderboard. “I’m delighted with the way I played and it was nice to have a chance coming in (down the stretch).

A former Walker Cup and standout on the European Palmer Cup collegiate team, Phelan also made the cut as an amateur in the 2013 US Open at Merion, won by Justin Rose. A son of former squash international John, Phelan turned professional at the end of 2013 and narrowly missed out on retaining his tour card when finishing 129th in the order of merit last season. It means he is reliant on sponsor’s invites to play on the main tour this season, although this runner-up finish has the immediate bonus of getting him into Africa Open.

Phelan, ranked 511th in the official world rankings prior to the Joburg Open, missed out on a place in the British Open due to Howell (ranked 158th) and Wall (ranked 312th) having a superior ranking.

Sullivan’s Joburg Open success made it a South African double after he secured his first European Tour win at the South African Open Championship in January. The 28-year-old, who played in the winning Britain and Ireland Walker Cup team at Royal Aberdeen in 2011, will make his debut in the British Open at St Andrews. “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.”

Howell closed with a three-under-par 69. The former Boys Amateur champion has won five times on the European Tour including the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship at St Andrews in 2013. The 39-year-old has played in twelve previous Opens but will play in golf’s oldest championship at the Home of Golf for the first time this year. His best finish in The Open was tied seventh at Royal Birkdale in 2008.

Wall eagled the par five first hole on his way to a four-under-par 68 in the final round. The 39-year-old has one victory on the European Tour to his name, in the Alfred Dunhill Championship in South Africa in 2000, and will make his sixth appearance in the British Open this year. His best finish in the British Open came at Royal Liverpool in 2006 when he finished tied 11th.

“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 British Open Qualifying Series continues at the Irish Open hosted by The Rory Foundation at Royal Co Down and the Mizuno Open in Japan which are played from 28 to 31 May.