Kevin Phelan, pictured during the third round of the US Open at Merion, will play his first European Tour event as a full card holder at Leopard Creek next week. photo: Kenneth E Dennis / kendennisphoto.com/www.golffile.ie

Simon Thornton finished tied 59th behind Denmark’s Morten Ørum Madsen in the South African Open and headed for Leopard Creek where he will be joined by Q-School graduate Kevin Phelan in next week’s Alfred Dunhill Championship.

Simon Thornton during round three of the South African Open Championship at the Glendower Golf Club, Ekurhuleni, Johannesburg, South Africa. Picture: David Lloyd / www.golffile.ie

Simon Thornton slipped to the back of the field as pre-tournament favourite Charl Schwartzel took a one-shot lead into the final round of the South African Open Championship hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni.

Shane Lowry and Graeme McDowell during a practice round for The Open at Muirfield. Picture: David Lloyd / www.golffile.ie

They might not get to play together at any stage but Graeme McDowell insists his partnership with Shane Lowry comes before individual honours in the $8m ISPS HANDA World Cup of Golf at Royal Melbourne.

Gareth Maybin anxiously watches an iron shot during the final round of the SA Open. Picture golffile.ie/Carl Fourie/golfsupport.nlGareth Maybin’s immediate European Tour future will be decided at this week’s Hong Kong Open after he slipped two places to 120th in the money list following the South African Open.

Gareth Maybin is tied for 43rd in the SA Open. Picture Eoin Clarke www.golffile.ieGareth Maybin needs a low final round in the South African Open to avoid falling outside the top 118 who will retain their European Tour cards following next week’s Hong Kong Open.

Gareth Maybin, pictured here in Castellon earlier this season, made just his 13th cut of the year in the SA Open. Photo Eoin Clarke/www.golffile.ieGareth Maybin’s bid to keep his European Tour card looks certain to go right to the wire.