Sulli in good place as he seeks lift-off

NUNEATON golfer Andy Sullivan is hoping a return to the scene of his last European Tour victory can inspire a return to the winner’s circle.

Sullivan’s win in the Portugal Masters in 2015 helped him qualify for the Ryder Cup the following year, during which time the former supermarket worker reached a career-high of 28th in the world.

The 31-year-old has struggled to reproduce such form this season and has recorded just two top-10 finishes, but could not pick a better place than

Andy Sullivan Victoria Clube de Golfe to get back to his best.

Sullivan is a combined 60 under par for his five appearances in the Portugal Masters, winning in 2015 on 23 under par and shooting 22 under in finishing second to last year’s winner Padraig Harrington.

“I feel like it’s somewhere where I’ve come and played some good golf,” Sullivan said. “After a bit of a slow year, hopefully I can come and pick some form up here again and try to pick another win up.

“I was disappointed not to get four rounds in last week (at the KLM Open), but the game felt in good shape and I made a lot of birdies.

“That feels good coming into this week when you know you’ve definitely got to come around here and make a lot of birdies.

“It’s one of those courses where if you do get off to a good start it takes the pressure off and you feel like you can go out there and get it around a little bit easier.

“Last year I shot four under in the first round and then 10 in the second. This course does offer a lot of birdies but if you chase it, it can catch you out.”

England’s Alfie Plant, who won the silver medal as leading amateur in the Open at Royal Birkdale, will make his professional debut in the £1.7million event starting today after turning professional following the Walker Cup earlier this month.