Haydn Porteous is aiming to do his country proud at The Open Championship this summer after sealing his place at Royal Troon with victory at the Joburg Open.
The 21 year old finished one shot ahead of Zander Lombard at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club with his countryman also claiming a place at the year's third Major Championship alongside Englishman Anthony Wall.
While Wall will be making his seventh trip to The Open Championship, the young South African duo - Lombard turns 21 on Monday - will be making their debuts as they look to continue a rich South African heritage in the British Isles.
The country has ten Open Championship victories thanks to Bobby Locke, Gary Player, Ernie Els and Louis Oosthuizen, and Porteous is eager to keep the rainbow nation's flag flying high.
"To qualify to get into The Open on merit is a big step in my career," he said.
To play The Open for any player in the world is a big deal and hopefully I can do South Africa proud and do well there - Haydn Porteous
Lombard added: "It's a great bonus for coming second and I'll definitely open up my schedule to fit it in."
For Wall, this is the second consecutive year he has made it to The Open Championship via the Joburg Open and, despite his disappointment at finishing in a tie for third, the 40 year old was delighted to get his exemption for "the greatest event in the world".
I've been lucky, thank goodness. I get to play in the greatest event in the world again - Anthony Wall
"I finished second last year right on the nail and this year the same so, thank God.
"It's been a truly wonderful week. I'm bitterly disappointed but to get an Open spot definitely softens the blow. It's the greatest honour a golfer can have.
"I played last year and finished 11th again and it's just the greatest place to play golf."
