Rory McIlroy still holds sway in Dubai

Rory McIlroy remained in pole position to be crowned European number one for the third time in four years as former supermarket shelf-stacker Andy Sullivan claimed the halfway lead in the DP World Tour Championship.

McIlroy felt he was stuck “somewhere between third and fourth gear” after a second round of 68 at Jumeirah Golf Estates left him eight under par, four shots behind Sullivan but crucially ahead of Race to Dubai rivals Justin Rose and Danny Willett by one and two shots, respectively.

Sullivan carded a second consecutive 66 to lead by one from Emiliano Grillo, much to the delight of “Team Sulli”, his 30-strong personal fan club from Nuneaton who have travelled to Dubai for the £5.2million season finale.