Rory McIlroy and Jordan Spieth struggled on Friday at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, with both losing ground on the lead before play was called due to darkness.
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“I’ve used that momentum from last week (in the EurAsia Cup) and that was just a little taster of what the Ryder Cup would be like”, said Sullivan, who won twice in South Africa as well as the Portugal Masters by nine shots a year ago.
McIlroy is one-over-par for his round and five behind Sullivan, who shot a second straight 67 to reach 10-under for the tournament. Obviously, there’s still a long way to go, but I want to win every tournament I play. Last week gave me more desire to put my name in the mix.
“It’s good to do it face-to-face, ” Sullivan said, “but I think Darren knows what I’m capable of”.
Ian Poulter did not have that problem in the other half of the field, but the Ryder Cup star did have to contend with a painful injury after reporting on Twitter that he had “taken a chunk” out of his thumb getting into a courtesy vehicle on Thursday night.
Clarke was captain as Europe’s team beat Asia 18.5 to 5.5 last week, Sullivan winning all three of his matches including a 4&3 singles victory over world number 28 Thongchai Jaidee.
McIlroy, who, along with Rickie Fowler, played alongside Spieth, has a clear card through the same 13 holes, except for a bogey on the same ninth where Spieth got a fortunate break.
“I had no expectations coming into today and just free wheeled it and pretty much hit every fairway and was able to make a couple putts”, said the main who plays with wedges and irons of similar shaft length. “He is 10 under but he could be 14 or 15 because he is playing great”.
“He is a quality ball striker”.
“He is such a great kid as well, such fun to play with and I really enjoy his company”.
“There’ve been times where it’s taken me at least four or five days to find the middle of the clubface (after a break) and there’ve been times where it’s taken me a couple of hours”, McIlroy said.
Asked how he replied to Clarke’s jokes about his height, the diminutive Sullivan added: “He’s got 60 on his ball (recalling his two 60s on the European Tour) and on the first tee I said I didn’t realise you put your age on the ball”.
Having started his round with eight straight pars, McIlroy bogeyed the next after finding the rocks and narrowly avoiding the lake off the tee.
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The world number one found the edge of the green with his approach and left his birdie attempt inches short, leaving him on two under par and just one shot inside the projected cut mark. The Northern Irishman was 1 over through 13 holes and tied for ninth place at 5 under par for the week.
