Monday 12 January 2015 10:58, UK
South African Open champion Andrew Sullivan has admitted he never expected to be in with a chance of winning his maiden European Tour title going into the final day.
The 28-year-old entered the final round at Glendower Golf Club seven shots adrift of leader Charl Schwartzel, but a final round of 67 combined with a two-over-par 74 from the South African saw the pair tied at the top of the leaderboard.
Sullivan then birdied the first hole of a sudden-death play-off to secure his first European Tour title and become the first Englishman to win the South African Open in 45 years.
"It's unbelievable," Sullivan said during the trophy presentation. "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.”
Both players missed the fairway with their opening shots of the play-off before Sullivan produced a stunning recovery shot to set up a 10-foot putt for victory.
“My caddie said expect him to hole (his third shot) and he nearly did," Sullivan added. “I was delighted just to hit the green and have a chance to win and I'm just glad I took it.
"I didn't want to give him a second chance to take the title away from me so I am absolutely delighted and I hope the guys at Nuneaton Golf Club are having a few beers for me!"
Schwartzel shocker
Home favourite Schwartzel held a five-shot lead going into the final round in Johannesburg, but two bogeys and a double-bogey over the final five holes saw his advantage disappear.
"I'm pretty much lost for words right now,” the former Masters champion told European Tour Radio. "I played fairly decent, but struggled with the driver badly and that puts a lot of pressure on the game.
“I got it back together, hit some good shots on 12 and 13 and built up some sort of lead but kept leaking it right the whole way in.
"Even with all that went on, to get myself into the play-off took something and hats off to Andy, he hit a fantastic shot out of the rough on 18 and made a great putt so sometimes that's the way it goes.”
Victory would have secured the world No 31 his 10th European Tour title, but the 30-year-old believes there are still positives he can take from his performance.
“At least I put three good rounds together but keep working at it and maybe I can make it four good rounds next time," he said
"I didn't really give myself a chance to even putt for birdie (on the play-off hole), but thought I hit a fantastic little chip so other parts of my game are good. If I can fix up the long game when it counts that will be nice.
"I had one of my worst years last year and came back and found myself in a play-off. Unfortunately some of those old habits came flying back into the game today."
