The bad weather expected yesterday has forced organizers to begin play at 8am in a shotgun format that means groups will begin at the same time from different holes on the course.
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Eduardo De La Riva is the closest challenger to Sullivan on -13 after a three-under 68 took the Spaniard to second, but he will have to go a few to overcome a five-shot deficit.
Sullivan had six birdies in the third round on Saturday, when tee times were moved forward because of severe weather.
“It’s always nice to back up a good score with another one”, said Sullivan.
Starting on the back nine, Sullivan got off to a flying start with a birdie on the tenth, followed that with another gain on the 13th and picked up further shots on the 15th and 17th, making the turn in 32.
Thomas Pieters had appeared on course to join his compatriot in a share of the lead, only for a bogey at the last to drop him back to six under par.
“And the putting in the first nine holes was very, very hard to putt”.
The highlight of Sullivan’s round was his final birdie at the seventh, which came courtesy of a chip-in from off the green.
The 29-year-old got back on track with birdies at 12 and 14 and, after a poor tee-shot at the 16th cost him another bogey, he got the shot straight back and parred the last to get into the clubhouse on 18 under par.
Four players are locked on 65, and one shot back, including Belgian Thomas Pieters, who caused a sensation earlier this season by winning his first two tournaments, in three weeks, at the Czech Masters and Dutch Open.
Adrian Otaegui is eight places behind Paisley in the standings and he also made it 67-67 as he fights for his playing privileges for next season.
Belgium’s 2012 Ryder Cup victor Nicolas Colsaerts, who shared the overnight lead with Sullivan, slumped to a second-round even-par 71 and now lies seven strokes down the leaderboard.
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