Andy Sullivan takes one-shot lead into weekend at DP World Tour Championship
Saturday 21 November 2015 13:17, UK
Andy Sullivan holed a monster putt for birdie on the 18th green to snatch a one-shot lead at the halfway stage of the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Sullivan's sixth birdie of a flawless round capped a superb 66 and lifted him to 12 under ahead of an in-form Emiliano Grillo, who picked up four shots over the last six holes to return a 64 on another day of low scoring at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
Grillo's best-of-the-day effort upstaged playing partner Rory McIlroy, although the world No 3 tightened his grip on the Race to Dubai crown as a 68 gave him a two-shot advantage over nearest rival Danny Willett,
Sullivan, the only three-time winner on the European Tour this season, opened with a birdie but added only one more over the next 10 holes before he rolled in a 30-foot putt for a three at the 12th.
Roared on by his 30-strong fan club from his home golf club in Nuneaton, Sullivan then holed excellent putts for further birdies at the 14th and 15th to join Grillo in a share of the lead at 11 under par.
The 29-year-old pulled a wild drive into the galleries at the last and his third landed in the fringe around 40 feet from the pin, but the putt curled into the centre of the cup to take him into the outright lead going into the weekend.
"It's absolutely awesome to be leading after halfway in such a massive event, it's incredible," said Sullivan, who paid a glowing tribute to his loyal group of fans. "I'm just happy I'm doing it in front of my fans to keep them happy for the weekend anyway.
"They have followed me about six or seven times this year and every time they have been there, I've done pretty well. I think I am going to have to start paying for them to come out every week now.
"You feel like everyone's behind you and you feel like you're really using that as momentum. I felt a bit static through holes eight, nine, 10 and 11 and holed a massive putt on 12, the crowd get wild and you feel like you're pushing on from there. I think it's massive to use that to my advantage."
Grillo was clearly not intimidated by being paired with four-time major champion McIlroy and birdied the first two holes before another gain at the eighth took him to the turn in 33.
The Argentine picked up further shots at 10 and 13, and he reeled off three in the last four holes to set the clubhouse target at 11 under, maintaining the form which saw him win the Web.com Tour Championship and Frys.com Open in the space of a fortnight last month
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"It gives you a lot of confidence," said the 23-year-old, who almost hit McIlroy with a tee shot on his way to a first PGA Tour title in California last month. "We know there it's not easy. Anywhere it's not easy. I was lucky enough to get two wins in a row and that gets me twice the confidence.
"But here it's pretty much like a major. You've got the best players in the world and you've got to play really well to keep it up. It was my second time playing with Rory and I'm really thrilled. He's one of the nicest guys out here and that makes it easier, but it's nice playing good with him."
Patrick Reed is two shots further adrift after he atoned for a disappointing opening 70 with an entertaining 65 which included a remarkable run of five birdies in his last six holes.
Charl Schwartzel, who finished with an ugly seven on day one, also staged a grandstand finish to his second round with four birdies in five holes capping a 65 and earning the South African the early clubhouse lead on eight under.
He was soon joined by Thongchai Jaidee after the Thai veteran carded a solid 67, while McIlroy joined the share of fourth as he cruised to a second consecutive five-birdie 68.
Justin Rose roared back into contention for the Race to Dubai crown with an encouraging 66 which featured six birdies in a back-nine 31, while Matt Fitzpatrick is also at seven under after he recovered from three straight bogeys before the turn with four birdies down the stretch to salvage a 69.
Overnight joint-leader Martin Kaymer stumbled to an erratic 71 to slip five strokes off the lead, and Ian Poulter is now eight off the pace after following up his opening 66 with a frustrating 74.
The 39-year-old wrote on Twitter: "I got what I deserved today. Disgusting commitment to shots. Disgusting attitude, Disgusting temperament, Lost my cool, Need a low weekend."
