Thursday 5 March 2015 16:27, UK
Joburg Open winner Andy Sullivan is targeting a third European Tour title of the season at this week's Africa Open.
With the world’s top 50 in action at the WGC-Cadillac Championship, Sullivan is the highest ranked player competing at Buffalo City following an early season win at the South African Open with a two-stroke victory at last week's Joburg Open.
Although a South African has won all five tournaments since the event became co-sanctioned by the European and Sunshine Tours, Sullivan is confident of another strong display this week to end that run.
“I just want to get myself into a strong position for Sunday,” the world No 58 said. “I enjoy the pressure of leading a tournament or chasing a leader on the final day. I can’t get enough of that adrenaline rush. I wish I could bottle it.
“To hold another trophy in South Africa would be fantastic, and to become the first non-South African to lift the Africa Open title would be incredibly special.”
Sullivan will tee-off in a group alongside compatriot David Howell and last year's Joburg Open winner Geroge Coetzee, while European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke and Gregor Bourdy also feature.
Reigning champion Thomas Aiken has decided against returning to Eastern Cape to retain his title, instead joining former winners Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel in featuring at Doral.
Fellow South African’s Darren Fichardt and Shaun Norris appear as former winners at East London GC, although home hopes are likely to be pinned on in-form Jaco Van Zyl, who has posted top-five finishes in his last four appearances in the tournament.
The 36-year-old shot up 100 places in the world rankings to No 316 after finishing runner-up to Sullivan at last week’s Joburg Open, but hopes to go one better with a maiden European Tour title this week.
“I’ve been in contention for the last four years, but the course has never showed me any mercy,” Van Zyl said. “I shot rounds of 66, 68 and 67 in 2013 and led going into the final round, but I let myself down with a 73 on the Sunday. Now I want to step it up from runner-up to winner.”
Watch the Africa Open throughout the weekend live on Sky Sports 4 - your home of golf.
