Wednesday 23 December 2015 11:54, UK
Andy Sullivan is refusing to get carried away about a possible Ryder Cup debut next autumn, despite surging up the world rankings during a breakthrough 2015.
The 29-year-old joined Rory McIlroy as the only three-time winners on the European Tour during an impressive campaign, narrowly missing out on victory to the Northern Irishman at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.
Sullivan followed early season victories at the South African Open and Joburg Open with a nine-shot win at the Portugal Masters, lifting him inside the world's top 50 and securing a maiden invite to the Masters.
The Englishman is widely expected to feature in Darren Clarke's line-up for Hazeltine as Europe chase a fourth consecutive Ryder Cup victory, but Sullivan is more focused on building on his form into the New Year.
"It would be a dream come true to play in a Ryder Cup," Sullivan told Sky Sports. "I'm not doubting that I want to be there, but I know for a fact that I'm going to have to play just as well as I've done this year if not better.
"I've just got to knuckle down and try to improve again, so I can go out and perform well enough to hopefully get in it.
"It's great to be talked about in terms of the Ryder Cup and to have a chance of being involved, but I know it's far from a given and I've still got to go out and perform to be there.
"I've got to try and put the whole idea to be back of my mind and go out and play golf as best as I can. If I can do that, then I'm going to give myself a good chance."
Sullivan will get a taste for team golf next month when he features as part of Darren Clarke's European side at the EurAsia Cup, playing alongside a number of Ryder Cup hopefuls including Danny Willett and Matt Fitzpatrick.
Shane Lowry, Bernd Wiesberger and Ian Poulter also feature in a strong side heading to Malaysia, with Sullivan enjoying how his career is quickly progressing.
"It's going to be a fantastic week and it'll be nice to get back to playing team golf," Sullivan added. "I haven't experienced that since the Walker Cup in 2011 so it'll be nice to play again as part of a team.
"When you do play for a team, it's an incredible feeling and you literally try your nuts off more than when you're playing on your own, because you know it's for everyone else and don't want to let anybody down.
"I think having my daughter Ruby put a massive perspective on life and made me realise that golf's not the be all and end all. I'm 100% trying my hardest, but I'm now going out there to have fun.
"I knew that if I could go out there and enjoy my golf, then my game would show, and the reaction I've had off the fans over the last couple of months has been fantastic."
Sullivan featured 30 times worldwide during a hectic 12 months, finishing the season by playing seven tournaments in an eight-week stretch.
Although the Nuneaton player admits his 2015 programme was far busier than he had hoped for, Sullivan is excited about the prospect of another busy schedule next year.
"We've gone over our schedule and if everything goes to plan and we stay in the top 50, then it's going to be an exciting schedule," Sullivan said. "There's a lot of potentially exciting events going for.
"The Masters is the one golf event I watch on TV and it's just going to be incredible for me to play there. I'm going to have to go a couple of days early to try and soak it up as otherwise I think I'm just going to get overawed with the atmosphere!
"When I started playing golf, I never thought I'd be playing Augusta so to be playing the Masters is a dream come true and I just can't wait."
