Stacking Shelves Made Me Work Much Harder At Golf

Andy Sullivan is living the dream. He’s gone from supermarket to superstar, roofer to Rory’s mate. And he says that gives him a unique perspective on tour.

- Iain Carter

A few years ago, Andy Sullivan was  fixing roofs and stacking shelves as he put together a stellar amateur career. Now he’s a member of golf’s elite world top 50, a Ryder Cup player with three Tour victories to his name. It’s been quite a rise for the 30-year-old from Nuneaton.

Sullivan beat home favourite Charl Schwartzel in a play-off to win the 2015 South African Open, his first win on the European Tour. As he told us over lunch in Dubai, it was a maiden victory that indirectly led to a burgeoning friendship with Rory McIlroy, another victory soon after and a place on Darren Clarke’s team at Hazeltine.

Andy also told us about the importance of his chirpy demeanour; why his shifts working at Asda helped his game far more than if he had taken a college place in the United States; what it’s like to hit your first tee shot in the Ryder Cup; and why Augusta is the only golf course where he has felt nerves...

You are good mates with Rory McIlroy; where does that friendship stem from?

It was in Dubai two years ago in the Classic at the Emirates Club. Rory had heard a bit about me and I’d just won the South African Open and I got drawn with him and Martin Kaymer, which, at the time, I thought was unbelievable.