Josh Cunliffe sunk a 20-foot eagle putt to see off Oliver Bekker and Joost Luiten and seal his 2010 Open Championship place.

The 26-year-old will join countrymen Jean Hugo and Darren Fichardt at golf's oldest major after the pair finished the rain-effected two-round International Final Qualifying from Africa in Johannesburg tied on six under par after a total of 136.

Play at the Royal Johannesburg and Kensington East course was forced into a third day today after heavy rains forced the suspension of the second round yesterday with several fairways flooded and bunkers under water.

It left more than half of the 51-man field that entered to abandon the competition due to other commitments, but the top trio took full advantage.

Hugo, the round one leader after a fine bogey-free 65, could not match his opening 18-hole feat and had to settle for a level par 71.

It was a good comeback, though, for the 34-year-old considering he started the second round with three consecutive bogeys.

He bounced back with birdies on the sixth, eighth and 13th holes to complete a good recovery that helped him seal a third appearance at the competition.

Fichardt, who was two shots behind after the opening day, followed his opening day 67 with a 69 that included five birdies and three bogeys as he made certain of a fifth trip to the tournament.

But the drama came at the end.

After a 70 on the opening day and looking well out of contention at five shots off the pace, Cunliffe fired three birdies in his last five holes, including two on the 17th and 18th.

He then made his move on the fourth additional hole, the par-five 18th hole and one he had birdied twice already in the previous two rounds, to earn a slot at the 150th anniversary Open, which will also be his second trip to the event.