Andy Sullivan heads to Morocco for this week’s Trophee Hassan II knowing a third title of 2015 can secure a Masters Tournament spot for the first time in his career.
A second-placed finish on his own will be enough for the 28 year old to secure a spot at Augusta National, where the year’s first Major gets under way on April 9, after a fantastic start to the year which has seen him claim a maiden European Tour title.
Sullivan started the year 150th in the Official World Golf Ranking, but after winning The South African Open Championship and the Joburg Open, he now lies 61st and within touching distance of a first appearance at a Major since turning professional in 2011.
He travels to Morocco in high spirits, after an impressive round of 63 at the event last year helped him finish second, and he is looking for a repeat dosage.
“It is always nice to come back to a place where you have played well in the past. There are a lot of incentives for me as well,” Sullivan said. “Last year I came home in 29 for a 63 to finish second so I have some nice memories.”
“That performance was a big stepping-stone for me. To have those feelings and then move on from there and get the two victories is a nice feeling. Hopefully I can reiterate what I did here last year or even go one better.”
However, with the prospect of the Masters on the horizon, Sullivan is refusing to look too far ahead and is concentrating on a good showing this week.
“If someone said at the start of the year that I would have a chance to get into the Masters this week I would have said no chance." Andy Sullivan
“It is a massive carrot dangling in front of me but I just have to put it to one side and concentrate on playing my game.
“If I don’t get in it won’t be the end of the world, and I will have had a great start to the year regardless. I’ve never played a major before so it is something I’ve always wanted to do and it will be in the back of my mind.”
Two other players fighting for a spot in the year’s first Major are South Africa’s George Coetzee and France’s Alex Levy.
Like Sullivan, Levy needs a top-two finish but recent Tshwane Open winner Coetzee requires back-to-back victories if he is to make the trip down Magnolia Lane in April.
“I’m excited and I’m playing some good golf, so mentally I feel in a good place,” said Coetzee, who made his Masters debut in 2013 but missed the cut.
“I’m jaded but when you are playing well you just take the Monday Tuesday off and start again on the Wednesday, so hopefully I can have another good week and keep going. I’m still working on some things and hopefully they will come good this week.
“I need a win to sneak into the Masters, hopefully we will give it a good go. Last year it was all or nothing and my patience wasn’t as good as it should have been, so hopefully this year I’ll try to play well and if I’m in the mix I will focus on winning: it’s not an all-out assault though. I’ll try to pace myself a little better and shoot some good rounds and get in the mix.”
Levy briefly found himself inside the all-important top 50 after a good showing in Dubai, but having slipped just outside insists his focus now lies elsewhere.
He said: “The Masters isn’t really on my mind - it is over for me.
“I’m just practising for the coming weeks, when I defend my title in China. I’m working on my game because it is close to being good.”
