Sullivan keeps his focus to bag share of lead in Qatar

Ex-Ryder Cup player joined by Spain’s Campillo as they head field by a shot

Former Ryder Cup player Andy Sullivan credited a renewed sense of focus after claiming a share of the halfway lead in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters.

Sullivan carded a second consecutive 66 at Education City Golf Club in Doha to reach 10 under par, a feat matched later in the day by Spain’s Jorge Campillo.

England’s Oliver Fisher, who carded the first 59 in European Tour history in 2018, is a shot off the pace alongside France’s Romain Langasque, Holland’s Joost Luiten and the Swedish pair of Alexander Bjork and Marcus Kinhult.

Scott Jamieson leads the Scottish challenge, three shots off the lead after a 68 yesterday. David Drysdale is a shot further back after a second round 69.

Sullivan, who won three times in 2015 to book a Ryder Cup debut the following year, said: “I feel like I am in control of myself, which is the most important thing for me.

“I really felt like I took my time a little bit more on shots and stuff.

“When I have been doing well before I generally rush the shot, maybe try to hit it a bit quickly, so I have been trying to take my time a little bit more and be a bit more composed over the shot.

“I feel like I have grown up a little bit now on the golf course. I think that having a laugh on the golf course is all well and good and I still enjoy it, but for me I have really had to knuckle down the past two days to keep myself in check because there are times when I find myself wandering.

“It has been difficult, and it is something new for me, trying to keep focused for so long.

“Normally I drift in and out a little bit but it’s been really good and positive signs as the golf has been really good.”

Sullivan turned professional in 2011 after helping Great Britain and Ireland win the Walker Cup and his Royal Aberdeen partner Jack Senior also finds himself in contention in Doha.

Senior is also three shots off the pace following a second round of 66 and is targeting a breakthrough European Tour win nine years after beating Justin Thomas and Jordan Spieth on his way to the semi-finals of the US Amateur Championship at Erin Hills.

“That’s what I’m known for and obviously I want to be known for doing bigger and better things now and hopefully if I keep moving in the right direction I can do that,” Senior said.

Fifer Connor Syme missed the cut by a shot despite a 70 yesterday.