Matt Millar, Kurt Barnes and Rick Kulacz have qualified to play The 2011 Open Championship at Royal St George’s after coming through International Final Qualifying (IFQ) Australasia.
Millar topped the leaderboard after a gruelling 36 holes at Kingston Heath, the man from Canberra shooting a total of 10 under par to clinch his first start in a Major Championship.
Barnes finished a shot back at nine under par, while the West Australian duo of Stephen Leaney and Rick Kulacz were forced into a play-off to decide the final Open spot after both finishing eight under par.
The pair both parred the first extra hole, but Kulacz prevailed on the second hole after Leaney missed a putt for par. Kulacz, a European Tour Member, will also make his Major debut at Royal St George’s.
For Millar, the result tops off an incredible week in which his wife gave birth to their second child, Charlotte.
“My wife gave birth on Wednesday so I haven’t had a chance to play much golf and practise so maybe that’s the secret for me,” said Millar.
“I can’t wait, this has been a goal I set this year and it’s good to achieve one so now I can move on to the next one.
“I’ve played a bit of golf in Scotland when I was on Tour but never at Royal St George’s so I’m really looking forward to the experience.”
For Barnes, the result confirms his second Open start in as many years, and the New South Welshmen said: “Kingston Heath has really suited my game over the last couple of years, I put in some hard work and it's really paying off.
“I’ve got to call the family and tell them to put another mortgage on the house so I can take them all over there with me.
“No, seriously it’s great. It was my aim to qualify and to put in some hard yards this year so I can get over there and play well and make the most of the opportunity.”
Kulacz, said: “I wasn’t as nervous as I thought I would be on the first tee of the play-off, but I have been battling hooks so I wouldn’t have been surprised if I’d hit it 70 metres left.
“My first Major is going to be great. An Australian has won there (Greg Norman at Royal St George's in 1993) before, so I’m really looking forward to what it’s all about."
