DAVID Howell continued to shine amid exalted company before darkness put an early end to his second round at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship today.

The Swindon ace, within striking distance of overnight leader - American amateur Bryson DeChambeau - after an opening round of 68 yesterday, was two under par for his second round with two holes to finish when the hooter sounded to end play.

That was a stroke ahead of the high profile pair of Rory McIlroy and America's Rickie Fowler, who were five under par, Fowler being three under for the day, while a frustrated McIlroy had carded 12 pars and a solitary bogey.

Meanwhile world number one Jordan Spieth, who started his season by shooting 30 under par to win the Tournament of Champions in Hawaii by eight shots, was two strokes further back after two bogeys and one birdie as the marquee group completed 13 holes before darkness fell.

It meant that barring a disaster on his final two holes, 40-year-old Howell was assured of making the cut in the event, which carries a bumper first prize of more than €400,000 - but with only seven men above him on the leaderboard, the Broome Manor man has loftier ambitions.

Beginning on the 10th, Howell was soon back into his day one stride, carding a birdie at the short 12th for a second day in succession, although he proceeded to give that short back at the next.

Steady to the turn in 36, the two-time Ryder Cup ace started his back nine with a birdie at the first and had added another at the short seventh to reach six under overall before play was halted.

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

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 DeChambeau, who had nine holes remaining.