The final qualifying tournament for the British Open begins at the Royal Johannesburg golf club with 51 players vying for the 141st Open Championship.

Ernie Els returned to form with a tie for fourth at the Frys.com Open after rounds of 69, 66, 67 and 68, finishing three shots off the pace with 270.

Charl Schwartzel has reached a career-high ninth in the latest world golf rankings after an impressive show at the RBC Canadian Open last week.