Sullivan wins first Tour title
England’s Andy Sullivan won his first European Tour event as he edged-out local favourite Charl Schwartzel in a play-off at The South African Open Championship on Sunday.
Sullivan needed only one extra hole at the Glendower Golf Club to seal the deal and did so thanks to a superb approach shot which left him with a 12 foot putt for birdie.
“It’s unbelievable,” the 27-year-old Sullivan said after lifting the trophy.
“After Saturday I didn’t think I stood much of a chance with Charl getting ahead that far.
“I just dug in there yesterday and today and found myself in a position where I had a chance to win. My caddie said over the last few holes ‘no regrets’ and I’ve definitely got no regrets over the last few holes, especially that play-off hole.
Schwartzel enjoyed a five-shot lead heading into the final round and although he struggled most of the day, he was still in front with five-holes left to play.
Bogeys on the 16th and 17th, however, saw him draw level with Sullivan on 11-under-par for the tournament.
The pair then returned to the 18th for a sudden-death play-off from where Sullivan’s approach did the trick.
England’s Lee Slattery carded a closing 69 to finish third, just one shot outside the play-off, with Spain’s Pablo Martin another shot back in fourth after also recording a 69.
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