Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy drop as Andy Sullivan leads in Abu Dhabi Championship
Star players show erratic form as Englishman shoots five-under 67 to move clear on 10-under after the second round
Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and other big names slid off the leaderboard at the weather-affected Abu Dhabi Championship on Friday, leaving American amateur Bryson DeChambeau to chase clubhouse leader Andy Sullivan in the second round.
After fog delayed the start of play by nearly three hours, Sullivan shot a second straight five-under 67 to move clear on 10-under and make another strong impression in front of his playing partner, European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke.
Darren knows what I can do, so I don’t think it was imperative [to play well here], but it bodes well when you do
Spieth and McIlroy were in the marquee afternoon group, but both played erratically and were one over after 13 holes when play was suspended for the day because of darkness. Spieth was at 3 under and McIlroy at 5 under, with both struggling off the tee.
DeChambeau, the surprise first-round leader following a 64, was a shot behind Sullivan after playing nine holes in one under. Starting on No 10, he made birdies on two of his first three holes, but bogeyed No 18 in the fading light.
READ MORE: American amateur Bryson DeChambeau outshines superstars in Abu Dhabi
Joost Luiten (68) and Rafael Cabrera-Bello (67) were in the clubhouse on 7-under 137, with the leaderboard shorn of the tournament’s leading players.