Andy Sullivan knows a thing or two about reassessing goals. Six years ago the likeable Englishman’s aim was to ditch his job as a supermarket shelf stacker and achieve his dream of becoming a Tour pro. He was earning the princely sum of £6 (27 Dhs) per hour back then. He ticked that box when he turned professional in 2011 and won his first pay cheque as a golfer when he earned €6,200 for finishing tied 39th at the Austrian Open – the same amount he would have made for stacking tins of beans for around 870 hours in the West Midlands. Next up was getting his first win under the belt and it’s fair to say he smashed that one out the park in 2015 when he did it three times and almost made it four at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai before being pipped at the post by Rory McIlroy.
Last year saw another two huge ambitions realised when he played at Augusta in the Masters for the first time and then joined Team Europe at Hazeltine for a Ryder Cup which ultimately ended in collective disappointment but was nonetheless a stunning personal accomplishment for the 29 year old former Walker Cup player.
The chirpy and outgoing man from Nuneaton, who already has career earnings of over five million euros from his five years on the European Tour, has certainly made an impression. The same can be said for ‘Sulli’s Army’ – the group of family and friends who cheer him on all over the world adorned in matching tee-shirts bearing his photograph. So what are his goals for the 2017 season as he returns to the Middle East for the eagerly anticipated ‘Desert Swing’ which includes his fourth appearance at the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters where he will be one of the star names in this year’s field? As he tells Worldwide Golf’s Richard Bevan in an exclusive interview, he’s simply going to go out there and “have fun.” The rest will no doubt follow.
Worldwide Golf: How would you assess your 2016 season and is there anything you’re working on during the off-season ahead of the Middle East Swing?
Andy Sullivan: 2016 was a special year for me that I will remember for a long time. I have very high expectations of myself, and that is not always a good thing unless it’s channelled in the right way. My plan for 2017 is, “just go out there and play and have fun.”
WWG: Obviously the Ryder Cup was a disappointing end result for Team Europe, but how did you enjoy the experience and how determined are you to make Thomas Björn’s team in Paris for 2018?
AS: I loved The Ryder Cup at Hazeltine. It was an amazing week. When you’re a rookie, you’re not quite seasoned enough to settle into that sort of atmosphere. The pressure is magnified tenfold. It was a shame about the result but the US team certainly holed more putts than we did and sometimes that’s just the difference. I can’t wait till we get our own back on European soil in 2018.
WWG: You’ve had some great results in the Middle East – what is it about the region that brings out the best in you?
AS: I think it’s probably because the weather is so cold and wet in the UK from November until February that I simply can’t wait to get to the Middle East where the sun is shining and the temperature is perfect for golf!
WWG: How important are the events in Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Dubai in terms of gaining early-season momentum?
AS: I love playing in Abu Dhabi, Qatar and Dubai so it’s no surprise that I have had some good results in the region. Playing well during the Middle East swing gives me a huge boost in confidence heading into the rest of the season.
WWG: You are one of the most outgoing players on the Tour. Do you feed off the attention you get and perform better in front of bigger crowds?
AS: I love playing in front of large crowds. I mean, after all, we are entertainers at heart and I love the energy I gain from my supporters and interacting with them.
WWG: The ‘Sulli Army’ spurred you on to victory in Portugal back in 2015. How big a thrill is it to look over to the ropes and see friends and family cheering you on so vocally?
AS: When the Sulli Army come out to support me in force I feel like they are my 15th club in the bag. I love playing well for them as a thank you for coming out to follow me and cheer me on.
WWG: What are your thoughts on the European Tour’s Rolex Series?
AS: I can’t wait to compete at the Rolex Series events. They are all great events that I have played well in before. It’s great that there are simply more points to play for this season.
WWG: Statistically, you average almost 300 yards off the tee. Length is obviously important in the modern game but what tips can you give to an amateur to get the best out of their driver?
AS: The one tip I would give any amateur golfer would be to hit it hard but keep your balance. I see too many amateur golfers play scared and simply tap it down the fairway. Give it a good whack but retain a good, balanced swing.
WEDGES
Favourite destination: UAE – the weather and courses are great.
Favourite course: Emirates Golf Club.
Last movie you saw: Finding Dory! My kids love it.
Last song or album you played? The Weekend.
Concert or Cinema? Concert.
Ski holiday or beach holiday? Beach holiday.
Any golfing superstitions? Green line always covering the Pro V1x stamp on the side of my ball – Helps with my putting and identification.
Biggest influence on your career? My Mum and Dad.
Best friends on Tour? Paul Waring, Bernd Wiesberger.
Oldest club in the bag? My Ping S55 irons are getting a little worn so I think a new set of their iBlades may be in the bag soon for 2017 season.
