Jake Higginbottom will keep his 2018 Asian Tour card after a solid performance at the European Tour co-sanctioned Joburg Open in South Africa.

The former New Zealand Open champion posted a 72-hole total of 9-under-par to be T27 at the tournament, the cheque for a little over US$11,000 seeing him move from 54^th to 48^th on the Order of Merit.

The top-60 at the end of the season retain playing rights and with just one event left on the calendar Higginbottom will be readying his schedule for 2018.

One of five Australasians in the field in South Africa only Higginbottom and Terry Pilkadaris qualified for the weekend, both completing 72 holes ahead of dangerous storms which forced a Monday finish for the final groups.

Scott Barr, Marcus Both and New Zealand’s Josh Geary all missed the cut in what was one of the lower scoring events of the year at Randpark Golf Club.

The cut came at 4-under-par, Barr missing by one shot after a brilliant opening round followed by a disappointing Friday.

As the 60^th placed player on the Order of Merit, Barr is in a precarious position in terms of keeping his card but made a fast start with an opening 65 to be just two off the lead and inside the top-10 after 18 holes.

However, he was 10 shots worse on day two with a 3-over 75 that saw him tumble down the standings and eventually miss the weekend.

For the second consecutive week, however, he retained his position on the money list despite missing the cut and will head to the Indonesian Masters this week still in 60^th position.