Mike Sullivan (golfer)

Michael James Sullivan (born January 1, 1955) is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and Champions Tour.

Mike Sullivan
Personal information
Full nameMichael James Sullivan
Born (1955-01-01) January 1, 1955
Gary, Indiana
Height6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight200 lb (91 kg; 14 st)
Nationality United States
ResidenceOcala, Florida
Career
CollegeUniversity of Florida
Turned professional1975
Former tour(s)PGA Tour
Champions Tour
Professional wins4
Highest ranking83 (August 13, 1989)[1]
Number of wins by tour
PGA Tour3
Best results in major championships
Masters TournamentT35: 1981
PGA ChampionshipT12: 1989
U.S. OpenT25: 1984
The Open ChampionshipT14: 1983

Sullivan was born in Gary, Indiana. He attended Forest High School in Ocala, Florida, where he played for the Forest Wildcats high school golf team.

He accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida, and played for coach Buster Bishop's Florida Gators men's golf team in 1974. While attending Florida, Sullivan was a roommate of fellow future PGA Tour player Andy Bean. He turned professional in 1975 and joined the PGA Tour in 1976.

Sullivan won three PGA Tour events during his career. His first win came at the 1980 Southern Open which he calls the biggest thrill of his career due to being paired with golf legend Arnold Palmer in the third round. He had more than forty top-10 finishes in PGA Tour events during his career. Sullivan qualified for and played in every major championship at least twice. His best finish in a major championship was T12 at the 1989 PGA Championship.[2]

Sullivan also had a runner-up finish on the European Tour, finishing 2nd place in the 1983 English Open. He lost to Hugh Baiocchi in a playoff.

Sullivan played some events on the Nationwide Tour in his 40s. His best finish in a Nationwide Tour event was a second-place tie in the 1998 NIKE Dominion Open.

Sullivan played on the Champions Tour in 2005 and 2006. His best finish was T9 at the 2005 Blue Angels Classic.

Sullivan has been plagued by back trouble throughout his career and has not played a professional event since 2006. He credits fellow golfer Don Pooley for mentoring him and enhancing his Christian faith. He lives in Ocala, Florida.

Professional wins (4)

PGA Tour wins (3)
No. Date Tournament Winning score Margin of
victory		 Runner(s)-up
1 Oct 5, 1980 Southern Open –11 (68-63-69-69=269) 5 strokes Dave Eichelberger, Johnny Miller
2 Apr 2, 1989 Independent Insurance Agent Open –8 (76-71-68-65=280) 1 stroke Craig Stadler
3 Sep 18, 1994 B.C. Open –18 (65-67-68-66=266) 4 strokes Jeff Sluman

PGA Tour playoff record (0–4)

No.YearTournamentOpponent(s)Result
1 1978 Buick-Goodwrench Open Jack Newton Lost to birdie on first extra hole
2 1981 Southern Open J. C. Snead Lost to par on second extra hole
3 1986 Walt Disney World/Oldsmobile Classic Raymond Floyd, Lon Hinkle Lost to par on first extra hole
4 1994 Deposit Guaranty Golf Classic Brian Henninger Lost to birdie on first extra hole

Other wins (1)

Playoff record

European Tour playoff record (0–1)

No.YearTournamentOpponentsResult
1 1983 State Express Classic Hugh Baiocchi, Eamonn Darcy Baiocchi won with birdie on first extra hole

Results in major championships
Tournament 1978 1979
Masters Tournament
U.S. Open
The Open Championship
PGA Championship 34
Tournament 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989
Masters Tournament T35 T46
U.S. Open CUT T34 T25
The Open Championship T14 CUT
PGA Championship T30 T56 CUT CUT T65 T53 T56 T12
Tournament 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995
Masters Tournament CUT
U.S. Open CUT
The Open Championship
PGA Championship CUT T63
  Did not play

CUT = missed the half-way cut
"T" = tied

See also

References
  1. "Week 32 1989 Ending 13 Aug 1989" (pdf). OWGR. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  2. "Golf Major Championships".
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