Sullivan shows how it's done

England's Andy Sullivan jumped from a share of last place to just outside the top 10 with a brilliant finish to his third round of the Irish Open.

Sullivan made the halfway cut right on the mark of level par and after going out in the first group at 7:15am was only one under after 15 holes, but then finished birdie, birdie, eagle at Carton House to card a 67.

At five under par he was still four shots behind joint leaders Robert Rock and Peter Uihlein, who had yet to begin their rounds, but was now on course for another good finish in his second full season on the European Tour.

The 26-year-old turned professional shortly after helping Britain and Ireland win the Walker Cup in 2011 and gained his tour card via the qualifying school later that year, but had to return to the school in 2012 after finishing 145th on the Race to Dubai.

He already looks assured of avoiding that fate for the third year in succession with three top-10 finishes meaning he has earned more than 240,000 euros in 2013 - double his total from last season.

Rock and Uihlein held a two-shot lead over a group of five players which included 2009 champion Shane Lowry - who was still an amateur when he defeated Rock in a play-off at Baltray - and former Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal.

Olazabal won the Irish Open 23 years ago at Portmarnock and his last European Tour title came in 2005, but the 47-year-old insists he is not simply biding his time until becoming eligible for the seniors tour when he reaches 50.