Dylan Naidoo hopes his trip to The 153rd Open will be the first of many after securing a spot at Royal Portrush along with Marco Penge and Darren Fichardt by winning the Investec South African Open Championship.
South African Naidoo claimed his maiden DP World Tour title with a dramatic play-off victory over Laurie Canter on home soil after the weather-affected tournament was reduced to 54 holes on Sunday.
And with it he clinched one of the three qualifying places for the final Major Championship of the year, where he will make his Open Championship debut.
Naidoo said: "It's an unbelievable feeling. My head was spinning when I heard the good news. I don't even know what to say.
"Here's hoping it's the first of many but it's the first and I'm going to treasure it. I can't thank the R&A, DP World Tour and Sunshine Tour enough for creating this pathway for us.
"It's something special."
With Canter already qualified, Penge and Fichardt - who finished third and joint-fourth respectively - got the other places.
South Africa's Fichardt has been a regular visitor to The Open since his first appearance in 2000 and he is aiming to improve upon his 80th-place finish last year.
He said: "I'm very excited about getting the spot.
"Very stoked, very excited. I'll try and be better than last year."
Englishman Penge, who has played at the Major twice before, said: "It's pretty surreal."
