Stacking Shelves Made Me Work Much Harder At Golf
Today's Golfer|Issue 357

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
Stacking Shelves Made Me Work Much Harder At Golf

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.

This story is from the Issue 357 edition of Today's Golfer.

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This story is from the Issue 357 edition of Today's Golfer.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.