Darren Clarke sees Andy Sullivan step into Ryder Cup picture

Andy Sullivan followed a flying start with an equally fast finish to further impress Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke by claiming the clubhouse lead in the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

After the start of play had been delayed by two hours and 45 minutes due to thick fog, Sullivan began his round with three successive birdies and ended it the same way to card a second successive 67.

At 10 under par the former supermarket shelf-stacker led by one from American amateur Bryson DeChambeau, who had nine holes remaining, with the marquee group of Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Rickie Fowler completing 13 holes before darkness fell.