3 qualify for British Open

Published Jan. 19, 2012 3:20 p.m. ET

foxsports

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.