It’s been a banter war between Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke and England’s ultra-talented Andy Sullivan and with Clarke finding himself getting back as he gave out in this week’s fog-affected Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
Clarke got a front row seat as Sullivan, a three-time winner last year on Tour, grabbed the clubhouse lead with a five under par 67 and move to 10-under par.
However a three-and-three-quarter hour delay due to fog meant half of the field, including the star three-ball of Rory McIlroy, Jordan Spieth and Rickie Fowler did not end their round.
Sullivan, 29 is 16 years younger than Clarke but the Brit who won a trip into outer space two years ago for an ace at the KLM Open was right up to banter speed with his potential Hazeltine captain.
Andy Sullivan and Darren Clarke clearly having a good time on day two of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship (Photo – David Lloyd -www.golffile.ie)
“Darren’s got 60 on his ball and on the first tee I said I didn’t realise you put your age on your golf ball,” said Sullivan smiling.
“I just try and have a bit of to-ing and fro-ing. I thought played well as well today. He putted a lot better with that cheating stick he’s got in the arm-lock.
But then it was good fun and kept it relaxed and enabled me to play some good golf.
“I think I may have went a little bit below the belt on one as he replied to me not to expect a Captain’s pick now!
“We both have a similar sense of humour and he clearly enjoys taking the mick out of a short, fat guy like me.
“He is the Ryder Cup captain but when I first came out on Tour full-time in 2012, he’s been a really good .”
Team Captain Darren Clarke congratulates Andy Sullivan (ENG) Team Europe on winning his match at the 15th green during Sunday’s Singles Matches of the 2016 Eurasia Cup presented by DRB-HICOM, held at the Glenmarie Golf & Country Club, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. 17th January 2016.
Picture: Eoin Clarke | Golffile
All photos usage must carry mandatory copyright credit (© Golffile | Eoin Clarke)
Clarke added a 70 to his opening 73 to be assured of making the cut in his first stroke-play event since leading Europe to victory last week in Malaysia.
And in his role as Ryder Cup Captain, and like many captains before him, he’s spoken to the Tour in being grouped with potential Hazeltine players like Sullivan and Scotland’s Russell Knox as has been the case this week in the UAE.
“I had a chat with Chubby (Andrew Chandler – Manager) the other day and I said I was going to try and really enjoy the next nine months,” said Clarke.“I am playing okay, I am just trying to chill and enjoy things a little bit more. That is obviously easier when you are out there with Sully (Sullivan), having a good laugh about stuff.
“There are lots of brilliant young kids out here but not many of them move the ball both ways and with different trajectory.
“Sully does it all and that’s how he sees the game. I don’t see that in a lot of kids as they hit it as hard as they can and as far as they can and go from there.
“Sully is hitting a draw off one tee then a cut the next, a low draw second shot then a high cut. I love playing with people like that, I really enjoy it. He is a proper shot-maker, combined with the fact he is a really good kid.”
