Five players to watch on the European Tour in 2015

Ahead of this week's South African Open, the Sky Sports Golf team focus on five players set to make a big impression on the European Tour in 2015.

Tommy Fleetwood

“My best season so far” was how Fleetwood summed up his 2014 campaign after finishing a career-best 19th in the Race to Dubai standings. 

Seven top-10 finishes saw Fleetwood surge up the world rankings, ending the year agonisingly short of an automatic Masters invitation as the world No 51.

The Southport star, who turns 24 later this month, impressed with back-to-back runner-up finishes at the ISPS Handa Wales Open and the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, while he also came up just short earlier in the season at the Volvo China Open.

Despite registering his lowest stroke average as a professional, it was Fleetwood’s middle rounds that prevented him from being in contention for more silverware, as he was over par in half the tournaments he featured in during days two and three.

He will also look to avoid a repeat of what he admits was a “dodgy” summer, where he missed the cut in six of his eight starts.

However, if Fleetwood can take his end-of-year form into the new season, then a second European Tour title during 2015 is a genuine possibility. 

Rob Lee's verdict: "Tommy has certainly got a bit of star quality about him and had a good season. What’s next for him? Certainly to win again, but the big step is become a top 10 player."

Tommy Fleetwood is 6/1 with Sky Bet to make Europe's 2016 Ryder Cup team

Andy Sullivan

Sullivan’s career quite literally ‘took off’ in 2014, as he registered his highest-ever finish in a European Tour event and hit a shot which earned him a trip to space.

A runners-up spot at the Trophee Hassan II was one of five top-10 finishes for the 28-year-old, but his year will always be remembered for his hole-in-one at the KLM Open which saw him win the unusual sponsor's prize of a trip to space.

The Nuneaton pro was also in contention for honours at the Maybank Malaysian Open before a nightmare six-over 78 on the final day left him well adrift of winner Lee Westwood.

Malaysia wasn’t the only final-day disappointment for the world No 149, with poor closing rounds proving costly at the BMW Masters and the D+D REAL Czech Masters, although he still managed to break the £1m earnings mark for the first time.

Although he’s entering his fifth season as a professional, Sullivan admits to only now “finding his feet” on the European Tour, and he is widely expected to claim his maiden victory sooner rather than later. 

Rob Lee: "Andy has been quietly bubbling under the radar very impressively. He has shown consistency over four rounds, but he has the capability to shoot that one low score he needs to win his first tournament."

Andy Sullivan is 28/1 with Sky Bet to win the South African Open

Shane Lowry

The popular Irishman had his best year to date, with seven top-10 finishes earning him a career-high 10th place finish in the Race to Dubai standings.

After a sluggish start to 2014 saw the 27-year-old make the cut in just two of his first nine tournaments, Lowry got his season up and running w