Kingston topped the African qualifier after a final round 69, three under par, for a nine under par total of 135, three ahead of Oosthuizen, a Qualifying School graduate, and fellow South African Tjaart van der Walt

The fourth qualifying spot went to another South African, Grant Muller after a play-off with American Bruce Vaughan. Both players ended their two rounds on four under par 140 but Muller booked his place with a birdie four at the first play-off hole, Vaughan taking the first alternate spot.

Kingston, who finished 66th on the 2003 Volvo Order of Merit, had seven birdies and four bogeys on his card. “It’s great to know that I’m going to be in the Open,” he said. “That is why we came here – there was no other reason.”