Abingdon's Eddie Pepperell came within a whisker of his first European Tour victory when losing in a play-off for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open at Royal County Down yesterday.

But after being beaten at the first hole of a three-way play-off by Denmark’s Soren Kjieldsen, the 24-year old Frilford Heath professional learned that he had qualified to play in his first Open Championship at St Andrews next month.

Pepperell, who started the final day seven shots behind the Dane, defied the strong winds to produce a superb bogey-free round of 69 – one of only four sub-par rounds on the final day – to finish on a two-under par 282.

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This was the same mark as Kjieldsen, who had a 76, and Austrian Bernd Wiesberger, who missed from eight feet for a birdie on the 18th.

Kjeldsen held his breath as a par putt at the 18th only just dropped to ensure he was a part of the play-off.

He took immediate control on the extra hole with a drive down the middle of the 548-yard par five 18th fairway.

The Dane reached the green with his second stroke while Wiesberger and Pepperell took longer routes.

Pepperell was unable to chip in to keep his hopes alive and when Wiesberger missed, Kjeldsen was left to stroke home his winning putt.

Afterwards Pepperell, who earned around £156,000 for joint second position – his highest ever finish on the Tour – praised his work on the greens.

“I played really well, no question, but I had to putt really, really well,” Pepperell said.

“All four days have been tough, so while today was very difficult it did not feel that different to the first three days.

“I said to myself anything in the 60s was a really good score and it was a great round of golf.”

Only five players finished under par after a testing week which saw tournament host and world No 1 Rory McIlroy miss the cut after rounds of 80 and 71.

Kjieldsen, Pepperell and England’s Tyrrell Hatton claimed the Open Championship spots, awarded to those not already exempt.