It is not only the Race to Dubai’s leading protagonists who are playing for high stakes in this final week of the European Tour season. Andy Sullivan arrived at the DP World Tour Championship lying 53rd in the world rankings knowing that a leap inside the top 50 would earn him a place at next year’s Masters, among other lucrative privileges.
So far, so good for the 29-year-old Englishman. Sullivan has not received anything like the credit he deserves for a 2015 in which he has achieved three victories. Nobody else in Europe has done likewise, after all. It is unfortunate that Sullivan is not actually in the mix for the order of merit award, a consequence of relatively low prize funds at the tournaments in which he prevailed. Others of considerably higher profile would gladly swap recent records with Sullivan.
Due recognition may come his way in the Middle East; Sullivan added a Friday 66 to the same score from day one, thereby moving to 12 under and taking a one-shot tournament lead at halfway. Emiliano Grillo lies second. Sullivan, who last year won a trip into space courtesy of a hole-in-one, is now playing for bigger stakes.
“I think for me it’s not time to reflect on the year I’ve had,” Sullivan said. “I have got another two more rounds before I can do that, then it’s the end of the year and it’s time for me to reflect on things. I have to work two more days and then I can relax.”
Sullivan’s story is an uplifting one. He was a shelf-stacker at Asda at the age of 20, with his subsequent surge into golfing aristocracy the consequence of hard work and a fantastic attitude. Sullivan plays with a smile, regardless of scenario.
“This is my dream and I’ve always wanted to do it,” he said. “If I can’t enjoy that, what can I enjoy? I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. So if I can’t enjoy it, I’d best go and do something else; go back to stacking shelves.”
Thirty members of the “Sulli army” are following their close friend here. Sullivan will hope it serves as an omen that the same group from Nuneaton was present when he won the Portugal Masters in October. “It’s absolutely awesome, to be leading after halfway in such a massive event, it’s incredible,” Sullivan added. “I’m just happy I’m doing it in front of my fans so hopefully I can 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. So I think I am going to have to start paying for them to come out every week now.”
Grillo was not distracted by being paired with Rory McIlroy. The 23-year-old from Argentina made a 64, the lowest round of the day, which featured eight birdies and no dropped shots. Grillo knows what it takes to win, having done so on the PGA Tour this year.
McIlroy seemed slightly frustrated with a second 68, which moved him to minus eight. The Northern Irishman remains the favourite to take the Race to Dubai title but will not be having matters all his own way; at seven under, Justin Rose is a challenger to McIlroy’s order of merit position.
“I’m probably somewhere between third and fourth gear,” McIlroy said. “I’m not quite performing at the levels I would like to. I’m hitting it well, I feel like my putting’s getting better. I still missed a few chances but I scrambled well today. All facets of my game are pretty much there. It’s just a matter of being a little more efficient.”
On his maiden visit to Dubai, the American Patrick Reed is third at nine under. “It’s always been a goal of mine to come over here and play well,” Reed said. “I feel very comfortable with how I’ve been playing. Out of the last seven weeks I’ve played, I’ve finished inside the top 10 five times. I just haven’t closed one out.”
