Sullivan Rallies to Win Joburg Open


Andy Sullivan fired a closing 66 to jump over the field and win the Joburg Open. The European Tour event took place at Royal Johannesburg & Kensington Golf Club in South Africa.

The 28-year-old Sullivan got off to a rousing start. Thanks to five birdies, the Englishman made the turn at the West Course in 5-under 32. Although he bogeyed the par-4 11th, Sullivan birdied two of his final four holes to finish 72 holes at 17-under 270.

Sullivan ended up two strokes ahead of Ireland's Kevin Phelan (66), England's Anthony Wall (68) and David Howell (69), and South Africans Jaco van Zyl (66) and Wallie Coetsee (71).

Coetsee entered Sunday's final round with a two-stroke lead but the 42-year-old couldn't keep pace with Sullivan.

"It's unbelievable," said Sullivan, who won the South African Open in January. "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 at the moment."

Added Sullivan, "I want to say a big thank you to my coach Jamie Gough, who has really turned it around, and my psychologist Lee Crombleholme, who has been exceptional this week, working hard on being patient out there.

"I am just grateful it has all paid off and I get to hold another magnificent trophy in South Africa again."

Tied for seventh at 273 were South Korea's Byeong Hun An and South Africans Chris Swanepoel and Jacque Blaauw.

For all the scores, visit http://www.europeantour.com/europeantour/season=2015/tournamentid=2015014/leaderboard/index.html?showLeaderboard=Y.