Sullivan on ‘crest of a wave’ in Joburg win

England’s Andy Sullivan claimed his second European Tour title in Johannesburg in the space of eight weeks with a closing 66 to win the Joburg Open.
Simon Dyson.Simon Dyson.
Simon Dyson.

Sullivan finished 17-under at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club, two shots ahead of compatriots David Howell and Anthony Wall, Ireland’s Kevin Phelan and South Africa’s Jaco van Zyl and Wallie Coetsee.

The 27-year-old from Nuneaton, who defeated Charl Schwartzel in a play-off in the South African Open at nearby Glendower in January, also claimed one of the three places up for grabs in the Open Championship at St Andrews, with Howell and Wall claiming the other two by virtue of their higher world ranking.

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Sullivan began the final round three shots behind overnight leader Coetsee, but moved to the top of a crowded leaderboard with five birdies in a flawless front nine of 32.

A bogey on the 11th dropped the former Walker Cup player a shot behind Howell, who had gone to the turn in 33, only for Howell to hook his tee shot into the water on the 14th.

Wall’s challenge also faltered when he found water on the 15th and it was Sullivan who held his nerve down the closing stretch with birdies on the 15th and 18th to seal victory.

“It’s unbelievable,” said Sullivan said. “I never imagined it would happen again so quickly. Coming down the stretch me and my caddie were loving life again and enjoying it. It seems to be a theme, enjoying my golf and getting the right results.”

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Sullivan won a trip into space for a hole-in-one during last year’s KLM Open and added: “I think I am already there to be honest with you. I am on the crest of a wave at the moment.”

Yorkshire’s Simon Dyson finished seven off the winning score, tailing off over the final two days with rounds of 72 and 75.

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