Sunday 17 January 2016 17:56, UK
Anthony Wall is looking forward to competing in the "greatest event in the world" after earning a place in the field at The Open in July.
Wall's bid for a first European Tour win for 16 years came up short as he finished three strokes behind Haydn Porteous at the Joburg Open, but his consolation was securing a trip to Royal Troon.
It is the second season running that Wall clinched an Open berth in Joburg having been runner-up to Andy Sullivan last year, and the achievement took the sting out of a disappointing final day at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club.
"I've been lucky, thank goodness. I get to play in the greatest event in the world again," said Wall, who was tied for third with Bjorn Akesson, Justin Walters and Daniel Im but claimed the third and final Open place on offer by virtue of a better world ranking.
"I finished second last year right on the nail and this year the same so, thank God. It's been a truly wonderful week. I'm bitterly disappointed but to get an Open spot definitely softens the blow. It's the greatest honour a golfer can have.
"I played last year and finished 12th and it's just the greatest place to play golf."
Porteous is also relishing the chance to make his major debut after a bogey-free 69 on the final day earned him a two-shot victory over fellow South African Zander Lombard.
"To qualify to get into The Open on merit is a big step in my career," said Porteous. "To play The Open for any player in the world is a big deal and hopefully I can do South Africa proud and do well there."
Porteous clinched his maiden European Tour victory in just his 22nd start, and he was delighted that all his hard work on his fitness and mental preparation had reaped handsome rewards.
"Words can't describe how I feel right now, it's surreal to be honest," he told the European Tour website. "I've been battling with my golf for the last few months and hats off to (fitness coach) Garth Milne for all the strategy and game plan and gym.
"There was a lot of sweat and tears and I can't get over this feeling right now. When I get home and things start to calm down I'm going to have a proper think about it. All the doors that are open because of winning the Joburg Open, it's a dream come true.
"I started to hit a few fairways and a lot more greens and gave myself some chances to make birdie, unfortunately the putts didn't go in but I was keeping the pressure low and making sure I was going to be making par. To make a birdie on the 18th was the best feeling in the world.
"I was just thinking 'no silly mistakes'. Go left side of the green and hope the wind drags it to the right and then I hit probably the best five iron I've hit all week and it landed just short of pin high and to about 15-20 feet. A putt I could only dream of to win the Joburg Open."
