Belmont Invitational which starts on Monday, expects to be involved in a very competitive tournament despite the absence of defending champion Tim Conley and his close friend Paul Parajeckas.

Seventh a year ago and the third American behind Conley, Parajeckas and Fran Marello, Sullivan is keen to improve on his best ever finish of third place which came two years ago when Dana Quigley won the title.

But Sullivan, who has tackled the Belmont event four times, doesn't expect any giveaways next week and believes that the field will still be a formidable one.

The professional at Quaboag Country Club of Monson, Mass. will enter Belmont on a high after coming off a victory in a US tournament just two weeks ago. He is hopeful that the momentum will carry him through successfully next week, but reckons that his game will have to remain sharp for him to stand a chance.

"Even though I won this tournament two weeks ago I haven't played any golf since so it's hard to know just where my game actually is,'' said Sullivan yesterday from his home in Massachusetts.

He claims that the Belmont course is a good one that he really enjoys playing on, but regards it as being quite a challenge even though he has scored some low rounds in the past.

His most recent low round on the course was a 67 two years ago, but during last year's tournament he had trouble reaching par during the four rounds when he carded 72, 73, 71, 73.

"You have really got to drive the ball well, chip well and putt well at Belmont to stand a chance of doing good there because if you miss a green you will be in trouble. It's a course where you have to be really patient,'' said Sullivan.

While the absence of some quality players could pave the way for others to triumph, Sullivan said that nothing was guaranteed to anyone because the eventual winner would have to earn victory.

"It's too bad Conley and Parajeckas are not coming, but the challenge is still for you to go out there and take on the course. You can look at it and say that the absence of certain top players may help your chances, but you just never know. We will just have to wait and see what happens,'' said Sullivan.

In addition to Sullivan, the leading American players from a year ago who have entered are Marello, Bob Mucha and Joe Carr.

One of the late entries is Canadian professional Kelly Murray, the long drive champion who was also here last month for the Bermuda Open.

Bermuda's Anthony Mocklow, now a professional in Florida, is among the locals entered. Another is Hav Trott, a four-time winner, who now resides in England.