(L-R) Bhullar, Stewart and Liang celebrate their qualification
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India's Gaganjeet Bhullar carded a fine closing 67 to secure his place at this year's Open Championship by winning the Asian International Final Qualifying event in Singapore on Wednesday.
Bhullar finished on a total of 136 to win the event by two strokes from China's Liang Wen-chong who secured his place at Turnberry in July with an impressive five-under-par 66.
Australian Terry Pilkadaris will also be making the trip to Scotland after a second round of 72 ensured he finished third on 139, while another Australian, Tim Stewart, took the fourth and final place on offer after coming through a nerve-wracking play-off.
Stewart (70) was one of nine men to finish on 140 but saw off competition from Japan's Tomohiro Kondo and Tadahiro Takayama, Koreans Hyung Sung Kim and Seung Yul Noh, South African Keith Horne, Young Nam of America, Quincy Quek of Singapore and Malaysia's Danny Chia to earn his ticket.
Starting the day in a tie for eighth, Bhullar recorded a bogey-free round that included four birdies to secure his Open debut.
"I actually set a target of five-under for today, although I managed to finish in four-under," the 20-year-old from Kapurthala stated afterwards.
Dream come true
"But it's okay. I'm really happy now that I'm on my way to the British Open. I've been watching the British Open since I was a kid and to actually get to play there is truly a dream come true."
Liang ensured he will return to the major for the second year running having become the first mainland Chinese player to complete all four rounds of the Open at Royal Birkdale last year.
"I played really well today," he declared after a round that included three birdies and an eagle. "My tee shots and putts were all spot-on and I couldn't ask for a better performance.
"I hope to continue playing well and hopefully put Asia on the world map with a good showing in July."
Pilkadaris, who made his first Open bow at Carnoustie in back 2007, cut a relieved figure following a one-over-par second round that he thought had cost him his chance this week.
Mixed bag
The Australian threw in a real mixed bag with an 18 holes that contained no fewer than six bogeys, but also three birdies and crucially a vital eagle.
"I played horrendously today," commented the three-time Asian Tour winner.
"I put myself under lots of pressure by hitting into the trees with my drives and was always scrambling to recover."
Stewart revealed he was making plans to head home when he discovered he was in contention after making the play-off following two rounds of 70.
"It's pretty heart-stopping stuff out there. I'd already booked a taxi to the airport and was called back for the play-off," he explained. "I'm simply delighted with the way things are going and this performance definitely ranks right up there at the top for me."
Overnight leader Ilonen missed out on a fifth appearance at the British Open after a disastrous closing six-over-par 77 left him in a tie for 20th.
