Andy Sullivan looking to take care of some 'unfinished business' at the DP World Tour Championship

Andy Sullivan carded an opening four-under-par 68 as he looks to take care of some unfinished business in the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

Sullivan led by a shot after 54 holes of the season-ending event in 2015 and did little wrong in the final round, only to be denied by an inspired Rory McIlroy.

McIlroy carded eight birdies in the first 15 holes to surge into a two-shot lead with two holes to play, before holing from 30 feet to salvage a bogey on the 17th after finding water off the tee.

Sullivan then narrowly missed with his birdie attempt on the last and a closing 68 meant he had to settle for second place, albeit with the consolation of a career-high cheque for £734,000.

"I wouldn't say Rory robbed me but I definitely have some unfinished business here so it would be nice to finish one off, especially in a Rolex Series event," Sullivan told Press Association Sport after a round containing five birdies and one bogey.

"It's nice to start off the way I have, I know it's going to be low scoring and I'm going to have to continue in that manner. Hopefully I can keep the putter going because I feel like I'm swinging it well.

"I went from having a fade all the time through 2015-16 and then tried to straighten it out because it felt like the right thing to do. It's taken an age to get back to where I was at the end of 2015.

"It's been a frustrating road and a long one but I'm happy to be back and feeling much happier about my game. The smile had gone off my face a bit, which is not like me, and it's difficult to play good golf when you're in that mindset."

McIlroy is not playing this week after bringing his season to an early end to recover from a niggling rib injury, but had been seen practising at the venue last week.

And the four-time major winner wrote on Twitter: "Wish I was playing the DPWTC this morning but it's come a week too early for me to compete with the boys at JumeirahGolfEst ... Wish all the europeantour players the best of luck this week - I'll be back soon!"

Sullivan's 68 left him two shots behind the clubhouse lead held by Australia's Scott Hend, whose solitary bogey in an opening 66 came after he drove into the creek which runs the length of the 18th.