Mike Sullivan (golfer)

Michael James Sullivan is an American professional golfer who has played on the PGA Tour, Nationwide Tour and Champions Tour.

Early life

In 1955, Sullivan was born in Gary, Indiana. He attended Forest High School in Ocala, Florida. Sullivan played for the Forest Wildcats high school golf team.

In the early 1970s, Sullivan accepted an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. He 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.

In 1975, Sullivan turned professional. He joined the PGA Tour in the following year after his success at Fall 1976 PGA Tour Qualifying School.
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 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.
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.

In 1996, Sullivan called for professional basketball player Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf to be shot after he refused to stand for the pledge of allegiance.
Sullivan lives in Ocala, Florida.

PGA Tour playoff record

No.

Year

Tournament

Opponent

Result

European Tour playoff record

No.

Year

Tournament

Opponents

Result

|1982

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