Hennie Du Plessis had some consolation for his heartbreak at the 2026 BMW International Open by qualifying for the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale.
The South African, who had been in contention in three consecutive weeks in Africa earlier this season, looked on course for his maiden DP World Tour title when leading by three shots with two holes to play at Golfclub München Eichenried.
However, a bogey at the 17th and a closing par were not enough as compatriot Michael Hollick birdied the penultimate hole before holing a 20-foot eagle putt to snatch victory.
Du Plessis' second-placed finish was enough to take one of the five spots available for the highest players on the Race to Dubai Rankings delivered by DP World who are not already exempt.
Another who claimed one of those places was Bernd Wiesberger, who was in contention on Sunday before eventually settling for third.
Jayden Schaper, who won successive events in South Africa and Mauritius at the start of the season, occupies fourth and sealed his berth in Southport later this month, with English duo Andy Sullivan and Dan Bradbury also booking their ticket to the Open Championship.
"It's come as a bit of a surprise, but buzzing," Sullivan said. "Obviously played my first Major at the U.S. PGA Championship in about five or six years, but to get another one so quickly is a massive bonus and I love Birkdale so looking forward to it.
"I've had a very good start to the year, really good finishes early doors and I've been consistently chipping away at it.
"I feel like I'm getting somewhere near my best again, slowly but surely getting back there and working hard to get my game right. That's the biggest thing, putting the time back in.
"When you are out here a long time, it's easy to lose motivation sometimes.
"For a guy from the UK, it's just special. It's the one you watch on telly when you are growing up - Peter Alliss with his dulcet tones on the BBC. It's an amazing event and it's got a special aura for the British guys.
"The U.S. PGA was a big eye-opener, it was nice to be back in the Majors again and have that buzz around it. To be top 100 in the world and get in that field, you are still in good standing in the world of golf."
