Andy Sullivan is excited to be back “where it all started” as he returns to where he won his maiden DP World Tour title for this week's Jonsson Workwear Open, co-sanctioned by the Sunshine Tour.
The Englishman kickstarted a career-best season with the first of three titles in 2015 by winning the South African Open at Glendower Golf Club in a play-off against Charl Schwartzel.
He went on to claim more success in South Africa at the Joburg Open, before rounding off his hat-trick with victory at the Portugal Masters as he climbed into the top 50 on the Official World Golf Ranking and qualification for the 2016 Ryder Cup.
"It is where everything really started," said Sullivan, who has since added a fourth DP World Tour title. "I never really looked back. Hopefully I can pull on those memories and have a good week.”
Sullivan started the final day seven shots off the lead held by Schwartzel but carded a five-under-par 67, before he produced a stunning recovery from the trees and holed from 10 feet for a winning birdie when the pair returned to play the 18th.
“It was a strange one," he added. "I finished way before Charl. I didn’t even think about winning to be honest.
"All of a sudden, John Paramor (who passed away last year having been the long-time chief referee on the DP World Tour) tapped me on the shoulder and said ‘you are going to be in a play-off’. I just went with it and it came off."
Back at Glendower Golf Club, home to @andysulligolf's first Tour win in 2015 💪#JonssonWorkwearOpen | #TourArchive pic.twitter.com/Z8u7TAnPYT
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) March 6, 2024
Bouyed by those fond memories, Sullivan also comes into this week on the back of his best performance so far this season with a tie for fourth at the SDC Championship.
That was his second top 10 of the campaign and the 36-year-old is hoping he can piece his game together on a more consistent basis.
"I feel like I have been playing well, all aspects of my game have been there for a while," he said.
"It is just not turning up at the same time, unfortunately. One day I will drive it well and the next I will putt it well but not drive it so well.
"It is about putting it all together bit it feels like it is getting a lot closer.
"I always enjoy coming down to South Africa, my previous results seem to show that."
Sullivan currently lies 32nd on the Race to Dubai Rankings ahead of the final event of the International Swing.
While he admits he has had to rely on a strong finish in the last two campaigns, he is targeting a return to the DP World Tour Championship for the first time since 2020 when the season reaches a climax in November. .
"The last couple of seasons I have struggled, it has not been great.
"Coming down to the last six or seven events I have had to pull out some results to keep my card so it is nice to get off to a reasonable start, but I am not going to rest on my laurels.
"I really want to kick on now and push for a really high finish in that order of merit."
