Andy Sullivan has ‘no regrets’ as he wins South African Open

Andy Sullivan was playing with house money in his sudden-death playoff against Charl Schwartzel for the South African Open Championship. Facing a difficult escape after a lousy tee shot on the first extra hole, his caddie reminded him to have “no regrets.”

Sullivan swung freely, executed the recovery shot brilliantly and left his ball 10 feet from the hole to set up a tournament-clinching birdie for his first European Tour win.

“I just dug in there yesterday and today and found myself in a position where I had a chance to win,” Sullivan 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 playoff hole.”

The 28-year-old Englishman overcame a seven-shot deficit to Schwartzel with a final-round, 5-under 67 at Glendower Golf Club. Schwartzel, who came into Sunday with a five-shot lead over second place, stumbled on the final four holes — including two bogeys and a double bogey — to shoot a 74 that still had him reeling in the playoff. The South African was also dealing with the pressure of seeking his first national open.

Sullivan, who became just the second English-born player to win the South African Open, the game’s second-oldest tournament, could not have been more thrilled with the surprise breakthrough.

“To just play on the European Tour is something I`ve wanted to do my whole life,” Sullivan said, “so to win an event just caps it all off and to do it in South Africa where I have always enjoyed playing, it has just been an incredible week.”

Ryan Ballengee is a Yahoo Sports contributor. Find him on Facebook and Twitter.

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