ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – A flight to space in 2016 doesn’t appeal to Andy Sullivan. For the English golfer, this year is mostly about one lofty ambition – getting in Europe’s Ryder Cup team.

And he’s going about it in the right way.

Sullivan has caught the eye of European captain Darren Clarke at the Abu Dhabi Championship this week, shooting 5-under 67s in the first and second rounds playing alongside the Northern Irishman to set the clubhouse target at 10 under. It continues Sullivan’s good form from last week when he won three points from three matches for Clarke in Europe’s big win over Asia in the EurAsia Cup in Malaysia.

“It’s good to do it face-to-face,” Sullivan said, “but I think Darren knows what I’m capable of.”

Clarke has acted as a mentor to Sullivan since the latter turned professional in 2011, so they are close. It meant Sullivan – known for his big smile and easygoing nature – has been able to joke around with Clarke this week in his latest Ryder Cup audition.

“He’s got 60 on his ball and, on the first tee, I said I didn’t realize you put your age on the ball,” Sullivan said, laughing. “I just try and have a bit of to-ing and fro-ing. It was good fun … I think he just enjoys taking the mick out of a short, fat guy.”

Clarke gave Sullivan a friendly warning that he might be taking it too far, saying: “He has completely taken the mick out of me for two days and I have told him that if he keeps this up, a (captain’s) pick is out of the question.”

The way Sullivan is playing, he’ll be qualifying automatically to play at Hazeltine in September.

He won three European Tour titles in 2015 – two in South Africa and the other by nine shots in Portugal – and pushed Rory McIlroy to the last hole in the season-ending World Tour Championship in Dubai. After a slow start to his professional career, Sullivan rose to prominence in 2014 by making a hole-in-one at the KLM Open in the Netherlands that won him an expedition to space courtesy of a tournament sponsor.

The 100-kilometer, suborbital flight could be available this year but Sullivan is set to turn it down.

“No, it’s not for me,” Sullivan said.

The man who once stacked shelves at a supermarket in the early-morning shift for 6 pounds ($8.60) an hour to fund his amateur career has risen from No. 150 in the world at the start of 2015 to his current ranking of No. 37. An invitation to the Masters, for his first appearance at Augusta National, should arrive next month.

With the Ryder Cup also a distinct possibility, things are looking up for a player who – according to Clarke – has everything needed to succeed.

“He is a quality ball striker,” said Clarke, who compares Sullivan to 1991 Masters champion Ian Woosnam. “There are lots of brilliant, young kids out here but not many of them move the ball both ways and with different trajectory. He does it all.

“A lot of kids don’t see that, 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. I love playing with people like that, combined with the fact he is a really good kid. He wants to succeed and is definitely moving down the right path.”

With an appraisal like that, Sullivan looks a certainty for Hazeltine no matter what happens over the next nine months.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Bryson DeChambeau was still in high school when he told his father: “I think I can change the game of golf.”

On Thursday, he was comparing his trailblazing qualities to those of Albert Einstein and George Washington, and calling himself “The Golf Scientist.”

One thing’s for sure about the 22-year-old DeChambeau, he isn’t lacking in confidence.

And he’s got the game to back it up.

DeChambeau shot an 8-under 64 at the Abu Dhabi Championship to take a one-stroke lead in the first round in what might be the strongest field in a European Tour event this year. Not bad for an amateur making only his seventh start in a professional tournament, and his first on the regular European Tour – through a sponsor’s invitation.

Any nerves? Don’t be silly.

“Why be nervous?” said DeChambeau, whose deep tan is explained by his California roots. “There’s no expectations. I’m not worried about anything. If I hit a bad shot I’ve got an opportunity to show my grace and my character. In that situation, there’s no downside to it.”

DeChambeau may just be the most unique, colorful golfer around.

He’s a physics student at Southern Methodist University who has devised his own way of playing golf. It includes modifying all of his irons so they are the same length, lie angle and bounce – the only difference between them is the loft – and means he can keep the same posture and set-up; hitting two different drives that he has named The Fairway Finder and the Crank Ball; using water and Epsom salts to establish which of his golf balls are slightly flawed so they can be discarded; and adopting a putting routine in which he crouches and extends his putter as if fly-fishing.

“You look at trends in humanity and people like following the norm,” DeChambeau said, when asked if he is a trailblazer. “You’ve got people out there like Einstein, George Washington – they just stood out and capitalized on their differences and showed the world a little different side.

“I tried (his unique swing) out in 2011 … I hit a striped shot 210 yards right next to the flag and I thought, “This could change golf.”

DeChambeau isn’t just all talk. Last year, he became only the fifth player – after Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, Tiger Woods and Ryan Moore – to win the NCAA and U.S. Amateur titles in the same season. He made his PGA Tour debut in June that year and finished tied for 45th, and was runner-up in the Australian Masters in November.

He said Thursday that he is not thinking of when to turn professional.

“I never try to set goals. I’m more of a journey man,” said DeChambeau, who wears a Ben Hogan-style flat cap. “I like focusing on the journey process.

“I’m an intern. I’ve learned to believe in myself. That’s the ticket. It happened at the NCAAs and I’m just growing that confidence, that belief each and every single day. Today definitely helped.”

The highlight of his round was a 3-wood from 278 yards that ran through a greenside bunker and rolled up to within 20 feet of the pin on No. 8. He knocked it in for an eagle, and also hit seven birdies around a long, challenging course to top the likes of Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy.

“I’m getting more comfortable out here and getting used to the rhythm of things,” he said. “I only played 18 holes before I played today. Nine holes Monday and nine holes Tuesday and that’s all you need if you understand the golf course – you have contour maps and everything like that it makes it super simple, super smooth to get the golf course figured out.”

It seems DeChambeau has golf figured out, too.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Jordan Spieth was aggrieved at being given a warning for slow play, and complained that his tee shots were “short and crooked.”

But after his opening round of the Abu Dhabi Championship on Thursday, the top-ranked Spieth’s biggest concern might just be the sublime form of his playing partner.

Rory McIlroy got the better of Spieth in their first head-to-head of 2016, using his power and accuracy with the driver to set up a 6-under 66 that put him two shots off the lead held by American amateur Bryson DeChambeau.

Spieth, who scrambled well to shoot a 68, made an early-season statement two weeks ago by winning by eight strokes in Hawaii to back up his stellar 2015. McIlroy laid down a marker of his own in his first event of the year after a two-month break and laser eye surgery.

“It was the Rory that I have seen win majors,” Spieth said. “It was spectacular. It was a pretty unbelievable round on a very challenging golf course.”

McIlroy says his eye operation in December will improve his ability to read greens and that seemed to be the case, the No. 3-ranked Northern Irishman making eight birdies – beginning on his first hole with a 20-footer. But it was his driving that set him apart on a warm, wind-free morning in the gulf emirate.

“I was really excited to get going, especially playing in a group like that,” said the No. 3-ranked McIlroy, who was also playing alongside No. 6-ranked Rickie Fowler (70). “Couldn’t be happier.”

Spieth’s first round in a regular European Tour event was a mixed bag and ended with a brush with a rules official, who gave the American a “monitoring penalty” for taking too long over a putt on No. 8 – his 17th hole. Spieth said the decision “didn’t make any sense to me” and was a “bit odd.”

“The guys behind us hadn’t even reached the fairway, on a par 5,” said Spieth, who acknowledged that he had taken extra time to line up the putt.

It was the first round since the European Tour modified its Pace of Play policy – and officials made an example of the biggest name in golf.

“Sometimes referees have to use a bit of common sense,” said McIlroy, who sympathized with Spieth.

There were no such problems for another 22-year-old American.

DeChambeau was making only his seventh start in a professional event but showed no nerves in shooting seven birdies and an eagle for a 64 to lead a stellar field. Henrik Stenson (65) was a shot behind, with McIlroy and Branden Grace a further stroke adrift.

DeChambeau is one of golf’s characters – calling himself the “Golf Scientist,” he has modified his irons to make them all the same length, has two driver swings, puts his balls in Epsom salts to establish which of them are slightly flawed, and wears a Ben Hogan-style flat cap.

“I’m just growing in confidence and belief every single day,” said DeChambeau, who is regarded as one of the hottest young players in the sport after also winning the U.S. Amateur and NCAA titles in 2015.

Stenson birdied five of the last eight holes in his first round since keyhole surgery on his right knee in December.

“Not too bad on one leg,” quipped Stenson, a runner-up in 2006.

McIlroy has also finished second in Abu Dhabi – four times, in fact – and the course suits his game. He thrived in playing with esteemed company and said he took the way he was hitting the ball on the range in Dubai last week onto the course.

“There’ve been times where it’s taken me at least four or five days to find the middle of the clubface (after a break) and there’ve been times where it’s taken me a couple of hours,” McIlroy said. “This time it’s the latter.”

Two three-putts for birdies were the only negatives for McIlroy, whose longest birdie was from 25 feet on No. 13.

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates – Golfers on the European Tour have a new item of clothing to pack in their suitcases.

The tour said Wednesday it will allow players to wear shorts during practice rounds and pro-ams after the policy was passed unanimously by a tournament committee in Abu Dhabi.

Ian Poulter backed the move, tweeting on Wednesday: “Its 2016 not 1990. Get rid of the stuffy old rules that hold golf back. Make it more fun (for) everyone.”

Players must still wear long pants in tournament play, although Rory McIlroy is open for that to change, too.

“Maybe. Why not?” McIlroy said. “It really depends if guys are comfortable or not. I don’t think it takes anything away from the tradition of the game or etiquette or how guys look on the course.

“We’re not going to go out in shorts at the British Open if it’s 10 degrees (50 degrees F) and raining. But at the same time, if we’re playing in a hot country and it’s more comfortable for guys to wear shorts, then there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be able to.”

Lee Westwood and European Ryder Cup captain Darren Clarke played practice rounds in shorts at the Abu Dhabi Championship on Tuesday. Westwood was among the European players to wear shorts in humid conditions at the EurAsia Cup in Malaysia last week.

Caddies can wear shorts on the PGA Tour, but not players.

“It’s awesome. It will be something that I would love to see on the PGA Tour, as well,” said top-ranked Jordan Spieth, who is competing in Abu Dhabi. “Guys seem to all love it over here. I’ve not heard one person, one tour player complain about it.”

Spieth was just annoyed he didn’t get the memo ahead of his practice round Wednesday.

“I just wish that my hotel was closer,” said Spieth, who was wearing long pants. “I would have gone back.”

The European Tour also announced a new Pace of Play policy on Wednesday, which CEO Keith Pelley hopes will cut rounds by at least 15 minutes.

Instead of being warned initially for slow play, players will be monitored by a referee. If they still exceed the time permitted of 40 seconds (plus 10 seconds if playing first in a group), they’ll receive a monitoring penalty and be timed from the next tee. Two monitoring penalties or bad times will earn a player a fine of 2,600 euros ($2,840).

“Is this the emphatic answer? No,” said Pelley, who has made slow play a key issue since joining the tour last year. “Are we going to continue to monitor it and look for other ways? Absolutely.”

John Paramor, the tour’s chief referee, said the reaction to the revised policy has been “extremely positive.”

JOHANNESBURG – Haydn Porteous kept his nerve to go bogey-free through the final round Sunday and win the Joburg Open by two shots for his first European Tour title.

The South African finished with a 3-under 69 for an 18-under total of 269 at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club. He pushed clear of a three-way tie for the lead overnight for his breakthrough win.

Zander Lombard, one of the men to share the lead with Porteous, finished second after a 71, which included four birdies but also three bogeys.

The third co-leader, Anthony Wall of England, was in a four-way tie for third after a 72. Wall had been searching for his first tour title in 16 years only to fail to pick up any shots on his closing nine. He finished three behind Porteous and alongside Bjorn Akesson, Justin Walters and American Daniel Im.

The additional reward for Porteous, Lombard and Wall were places at this year’s British Open at Royal Troon.

Victory came after the 21-year-old Porteous missed the cut at both previous European Tour events he’d played this season. His measured finish included birdies on the par-5 No. 8, on No. 14 and at No. 18 to make sure.

Porteous became the second first-time winner on the tour’s South African swing after 22-year-old Brandon Stone won last weekend’s South African Open.

Wall had a chance at just a second European Tour win – and his first since 2000 – after reasonable progress on the front nine with two birdies and a bogey. But he slipped up with a bogey on No. 10 and wasn’t able to climb back into contention, finishing with eight straight pars.

Having missed the cut last week, Ernie Els ended the Joburg Open with another disappointing round, a 74 this time for 5 under overall and in a tie for 44th.

JOHANNESBURG – Anthony Wall has a chance at his second European Tour title and first in 16 years when he heads into the final round of the Joburg Open as part of a three-way tie for the lead.

England’s Wall and South Africans Zander Lombard and Haydn Porteous were on 15-under-par 200 on Saturday after three rounds at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club.

Wall, trying to add to his Alfred Dunhill Championship victory in 2000, had four birdies in a 68. Lomard had one of the rounds of the day with his 65, while Porteous matched Wall’s 68.

The trio leads by two from a group of four players: Overnight leader Ross McGowan, who slipped off the top with a 1-over 73, Jacques Blaauw, Paul Dunne, and American Daniel Im.

JOHANNESBURG – Ross McGowan opened a three-shot lead after two rounds of the European Tour’s Joburg Open following a sizzling 9-under 62 on Friday.

The Englishman, who regained his place on the tour this season, fired six birdies and two eagles on the par-71 West Course at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington to go 14 under for the tournament. That followed his 5-under 67 on the East Course in the opening round.

McGowan surged clear of Jean Hugo, Haydn Porteous, Anthony Wall and Felipe Aguilar, who were all 11 under.

McGowan lost his European Tour card in 2011 but came through qualifying school last year, and tied for 12th at the South African Open last weekend.

Four-time major champion Ernie Els just survived the cut after carding 70-70 for his opening two rounds.

JOHANNESBURG – Justin Walters made birdie on the last hole to take a one-shot lead after the first round of the European Tour’s Joburg Open on Thursday.

The South African made his sixth birdie of the day on No. 18 for a 7-under 65 on the East Course at Royal Johannesburg and Kensington. That gave Walters a narrow advantage over six men tied for second on 6 under.

That tie includes English pair Anthony Wall and David Howell, and Zimbabwe’s Mark Williams, who all carded 65s on the easier par-71 West Course.

Also tied for second are Haydn Porteous and Swedes Johan Carlsson and Michael Jonzon.

After missing the cut at the South African Open last week, Ernie Els opened with a 1-under 70 on the West to be tied for 69th.

JOHANNESBURG – Brandon Stone won the South African Open on Sunday for his maiden European Tour title, becoming the youngest player to win the event since it joined the tour schedule in 1997.

The 22-year-old South African finished with a roller-coaster round of 71 that had seven birdies and also six bogeys, but it was still enough for a two-shot win over fellow home player Christiaan Bezuidenhout.

Stone finished 14 under par at Glendower Golf Club in a tournament that was interrupted by stormy weather, forcing the first three rounds to be suspended and carried over to the following day.

Stone was in tears after completing victory at golf’s second oldest national open after the British Open. He held a five-shot lead at one point but had to fight in the end to hold off Bezuidenhout’s late charge.

Bezuidenhout finished with a superb 5-under 67 to nearly steal victory at the end.

Englishman Daniel Brooks, who was tied for the lead with Stone when the third round was suspended on Saturday, closed with a 72 to finish 11 under and three shots behind Stone in third. Brooks held a two-shot lead with nine holes to play, but couldn’t keep that momentum.

Stone only claimed his first professional victory late last year on the South African Sunshine Tour.

He appeared to have blown his chances at Glendower with a run of three straight bogeys and four dropped shots in five holes approaching the turn on Sunday. He shrugged that off to collect four birdies in five holes from No. 12 and finished par-par to win.

The tears began to flow for Stone on the green at No. 18 when he put his third shot close, pretty much guaranteeing him victory. He rolled in the par putt and had to wait for the last few players to come home. No one had a realistic chance of catching him.

Retief Goosen finished in a four-way tie for fourth on 9 under alongside Branden Grace, Justin Walters and Keith Horne.

JOHANNESBURG – Brandon Stone and Daniel Brooks share the lead at the European Tour’s South African Open after the third round was suspended because of approaching thunderstorms and the threat of lightning on Saturday.

Englishman Brooks was already one of the players who had to get up early to complete their second rounds because of similar stormy weather and a suspension on the second day in Johannesburg. He was 1 under through nine holes of his third round to be 10 under overall.

South Africa’s Stone was also 10 under, picking up four birdies in his opening nine, and five birdies in the 11 holes he managed to play on Saturday at Glendower Golf Club.

They have a two-shot lead over Keith Horne, who completed only nine holes of his third round.

Five-time champion Ernie Els missed the cut by a shot after finishing his second round earlier Saturday. The four-time major winner had three bogeys and just one birdie in that delayed second round for a 74 and to finish 3 over par.

Another South African major winner, Retief Goosen, was five shots off the lead after finishing 11 holes of his third round at Glendower.

Stormy weather has caused suspensions in play on all three days of the tournament. Players will return at 7:30 a.m. local time on Sunday to complete their third rounds.