3 qualify for British Open

Brazil's Adilson Da Silva and South African pair Grant Veenstra and Andrew Georgiou secured their places in this year's British Open after finishing in the top three positions of a 36-hole international qualifier on Thursday.

Veenstra won the two-day qualifying event at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington with a 6-under 138, with Georgiou and Da Silva a shot behind in the 41-man field.

Da Silva, ranked 371st in the world, will be appearing in his third British Open when the 141st edition of the major is staged at Royal Lytham & St. Annes from July 19-22.

''It hasn't sunk in completely. It's ridiculous how excited I am to play in The Open. Maybe it will be third-time lucky,'' Da Silva said. ''After that round I am glad to be able to breathe again.''

Overnight leader Tim Sluiter of the Netherlands followed up a first-round 66 with a 78, despite opening with an eagle, to finish tied for 18th on level par. His round included a 7 at the par-3 No. 16.