Andy Sullivan will take a fearless approach into The BMW SA Open as he defends a title for the first time on the European Tour.
– The Joy of Golf: The movers and shakers of 2015
– The Joy of Golf: Breakthroughs to watch in 2016
– #360business: Keeping Ladies Tour on course
The Englishman claimed his first triumph at Glendower Golf Club 12 months ago and followed it up with two more at the Joburg Open and the Portugal Masters on his way to finishing eighth in the Race to Dubai.
The 28-year-old openly admits that improving on his stellar 2015 campaign would be an incredible feat but he now feels better prepared to contend with the top players thanks to one of his trademarks.
Sullivan is well known in the golfing world for his cheery, laidback demeanour and he believes that was, and will continue to be, a major factor in his success.
“Last year was unbelievable,” he said. “I’m not going to stand here and say that I’m going to try and win four tournaments this year, because I know how hard it was to win three.
Andy Sullivan: “Normally I get bills, so @TheMasters invite was best mail I ever got” pic.twitter.com/pXVSEEyN21
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) January 6, 2016
“My goals are to improve as a player and I know if I can improve as a player and manage myself better, I’m going to give myself the best chance to achieve as much as I can in this game.
“I felt like the times I could play well last year I managed myselfreally well, was really chirpy on the course, I wasn’t beating myself up about hitting bad shots.
“I felt like I learned last year that players who don’t win tournaments are scared of being inconsistent. I’m not scared of being inconsistent. I know that golf is not a perfect game and I wasn’t scared to go out there and play badly, I knew I could still get it round in a number and I think that is what the best guys do.”
Sullivan won in dramatic circumstances last year as Charl Schwartzel dropped four shots in his closing five holes to allow him into a playoff. A remarkable shot out of the trees from Sullivan gave him a birdie opportunity and he did not pass it up as he claimed a maiden title.
Sullivan finished the year ranked inside the top-50 in the world, thus earning an invitation to the Masters. He said: “It’s an incredible feeling just to open that and it’s the best bit of post I’ve ever had.”
