Andy Sullivan wins South African Open
Golf Monthly columnist Andy Sullivan wins South African Open


Golf Monthly columnist Andy Sullivan claimed his first European Tour title after a playoff with Charl Schwartzel for the South African Open Championship at Glendower GC.
Golf Monthly columnist Andy Sullivan claimed his first European Tour title after a playoff with Charl Schwartzel for the South African Open Championship at Glendower GC.
Sullivan began the final round seven shots behind Schwartzel, but he carded four birdies and an eagle in an excellent final round of 67.
Schwartzel was still four shots ahead with five to play and the 2011 Masters Champion looked a certain winner of his home title. But he followed a bogey on the 14th with a three putt double bogey on the 16th. A further bogey at the 17th dropped the South African into a tie with Sullivan on 11-under-par.
Schwartzel managed to steady himself to par the last and force a playoff, but it was Sullivan who went into extra holes with the greater momentum.
Both men found trouble from the tee on the first playoff hole, but Sullivan produced a superb recovery shot that set up a winning birdie.
"I just dug in there yesterday and today and found myself in a position where I had a chance to win,” he said. “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… I didn't want to give Charl 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!”
Get the Golf Monthly Newsletter
Subscribe to the Golf Monthly newsletter to stay up to date with all the latest tour news, equipment news, reviews, head-to-heads and buyer’s guides from our team of experienced experts.
England’s Lee Slattery fired a closing 69 to end the week alone in third place. Another Englishman, Matthew Fitzpatrick had a chance to win at Glendower GC. The 20-year-old started brightly with two birdies in his first four holes, but he then stumbled to a double-bogey at the 7th and a disastrous triple-bogey at the 13th. He finished in a tie for fifth place.
The South African Open Championship Hosted by the City of Ekurhuleni Glendower GC, Johannesburg, South Africa Jan 8-11, purse €1,100,000, par 72
1 Andy Sullivan (Eng) 66 70 74 67 277 €158,500 2 Charl Schwartzel (RSA) 68 69 66 74 277 €115,000 3 Lee Slattery (Eng) 70 74 65 69 278 €69,200 4 Pablo Martin (Esp) 71 68 71 69 279 €49,100 T5 Thomas Aiken (RSA) 70 71 70 70 281 €28,667 T5 Matthew Fitzpatrick (Eng) 73 68 67 73 281 €28,667 T5 Jared Harvey (RSA) 71 69 70 71 281 €28,667 T5 Paul Maddy (Eng) 71 71 68 71 281 €28,667 T5 Gary Stal (Fra) 75 66 69 71 281 €28,667 T5 Alessandro Tadini (Ita) 71 68 73 69 281 €28,667
Note: Player score in bold signifies Titleist ball usage

Fergus is Golf Monthly's resident expert on the history of the game and has written extensively on that subject. He has also worked with Golf Monthly to produce a podcast series. Called 18 Majors: The Golf History Show it offers new and in-depth perspectives on some of the most important moments in golf's long history. You can find all the details about it here.
He is a golf obsessive and 1-handicapper. Growing up in the North East of Scotland, golf runs through his veins and his passion for the sport was bolstered during his time at St Andrews university studying history. He went on to earn a post graduate diploma from the London School of Journalism. Fergus has worked for Golf Monthly since 2004 and has written two books on the game; "Great Golf Debates" together with Jezz Ellwood of Golf Monthly and the history section of "The Ultimate Golf Book" together with Neil Tappin , also of Golf Monthly.
Fergus once shanked a ball from just over Granny Clark's Wynd on the 18th of the Old Course that struck the St Andrews Golf Club and rebounded into the Valley of Sin, from where he saved par. Who says there's no golfing god?
-
Justin Thomas Confirms Stand-In Caddie Will Not Replace Long-Term Looper After First Victory Since 2022
Thomas won the RBC Heritage with Max Homa's former looper, Joe Greiner as his assistant but is looking forward to welcoming his regular caddie back soon
By Jonny Leighfield
-
Rose Zhang Ruled Out Of Chevron Championship
The American hasn't featured in a competitive event since withdrawing from the T-Mobile Match Play, with it reported that Zhang will miss the Chevron Championship due to an ongoing neck injury
By Matt Cradock
-
Every European Tour Order Of Merit Winner Since 1937
The European Tour's Order of Merit winner claims the Harry Vardon Trophy - a prize which was first handed out in 1937
By Jonny Leighfield
-
Rory McIlroy Gym Routine... Revealed!
In this Rory McIlroy Gym Routine article we discover how the Northern Irishman keeps himself so fit
By Neil Tappin
-
What Is Tiger Woods' Net Worth?
Tiger Woods became the first billion dollar athlete in 2009
By Elliott Heath
-
Five Outsiders Who Could Win The Masters
We consider five players who might surprise the favourites and claim victory at Augusta
By Fergus Bisset
-
Who Is Tiger Woods’ Girlfriend?
Find out more on who the American professional golfer is going out with here.
By Matt Cradock
-
Bermuda Championship Golf Betting Tips 2021
Who is the GM Tipster backing to win this week in Bermuda?
By Jeremy Chapman
-
Jeff Winther Claims Maiden European Tour Title
Jeff Winther Claims Maiden European Tour Title
By Matt Cradock
-
Fredrik Andersson Hed Passes Away Following Battle With Cancer
Fredrik Andersson Hed Passes Away Following Battle With Cancer
By Matt Cradock