• Open Championship

Three more players book Muirfield spots

ESPN staff
March 6, 2013

Three more players have secured their spots in the field for this year's Open Championship, following the conclusion of International Final Qualifying (Africa) on Wednesday.

The South African duo of Justin Harding and Darryn Lloyd took two of the three berths on offer at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club, with Spaniard Eduardo de la Riva also set to tee it up at Muirfield later this year.

Harding won the two-round event after posting an overall total of 14-under par, with De la Riva three shots back and Lloyd, who lives in England, holding off the likes of Ross McGowan and Garth Mulroy to take third at nine-under.

"I'm so happy to get through - there are about 70 players here and a lot of them have won tournaments, both on the European and Sunshine Tours, and to get one of only three spots is incredible," Harding, who closed with a round of 64, said.

"All of us as youngsters avidly watched The Open over the years and I'm really looking forward to my first Major. With Ernie Els defending it will be a special one, and I've heard that Muirfield is a phenomenal place, so everything feels perfect right now.

"To play in The Open is an experience every golfer wants to have. I don't really have words for it, but I'm sure it will be special. No doubt my dad is already booking the flights, and I can't wait to enjoy the week."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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