WARE, England – Andy Sullivan scored an incredible 28 out of the last nine positions to sit atop a leaderboard full of home favorites following the second round of the English championship on Friday.
The 2016 Ryder Cup player turned 34, then took seven birdies on his way home to sign for a total of 62 and 14 unders, one shot away from fellow countryman Laurie Canter and South African Dean Burmester.
England’s Richard Bland, Steven Brown and Andrew Johnston were alongside Welsh Jamie Donaldson in a large group of 11 under players.
Sullivan entered five birdies in a row from 12th with gains 10th and 18th over his back nine at Hanbury Manor. A more similar form could have large ramifications for its season.
The top 10 players of the European Tour mini Order of Merit after the first five UK Swing events will win a spot at the US Open, with Sullivan finishing fourth in the British Masters two weeks ago.
Good finishes this week and the doubleheader to come to Celtic Manor could secure Sullivan a spot at the Winged Foot, but admits he’s not sure if he would take a spot on the US Open court in September.
“I’m still not sure about my decision on this,” he told europeantour.com. “I’ll see how I feel. I’m just happy to be returning to golf in the UK and the European tour.”
At 62, he added: “It was very satisfying.
“Yesterday and today they were both slow on the front nine and I didn’t get into my flow with the swing and wasn’t moving it the way I wanted. Then on the back nine I freed myself up a bit and got the putter going. I did a lot. of nice putts out there. “
Burmester also came home in 28th place when he finished his round of 63 with eight straight threes, while partner Canter signed for a 65.
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