Paul Waring held off a stellar chase to win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship with a six-under-par 66.
The 39-year-old from Birkenhead, who now lives in Dubai, showed nerves of steel as he reached 24-under-par for the week and finished two shots ahead of Tyrrell Hatton, Rory McIlroy, Matt Wallace and Thorbjørn Olesen. he shot back.
Waring led the first event of the new DP World Tour Play-Offs with a record 61 at Yas Links on Friday, but saw his five-round lead cut to one as he posted a 73 the following day.
Waring, whose only European title came at the Nordea Masters in more than six years, started quickly with two opening birdies and added two more at the seventh and 10th.
He responded to Hatton’s catch with a moment of magic as he converted from 40 feet for birdie on the par-3 17th, before hitting a perfect drive on the bottom of the par-five, running a 3-wood behind the green. twice and up and up to seal the victory.
McIlroy on the move
McIlroy had the chance to take an undisputed lead in the Race to Dubai and was the first to make a quick charge as the four-time major winner bogeyed four of the first six holes.
He came in fifth and added five more to his signature 64, but the race is on for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship after closest challenger Thriston Lawrence recorded two eagles and four birdies in his round of 64 to move to 20 under again. . tied for sixth alongside Tommy Fleetwood, and French pair Ugo Coussaud and Antoine Rozner
Waring’s victory came with a payday of €1.4 million and earned him one of 10 cards to be awarded on the PGA Tour for next season, as well as his playing rights on the DP World Tour for the next two seasons.
He said: “I never let myself think I was over the line at any point – I always knew there was work to be done. The birdie on the 17th was great. Standing over the putt, I saw the line clearly and really liked it. I knew for sure that it was going in as soon as it left the blade. I know that sounds cocky, but it was so innocent and I was just happy to see it go in. “
“I always felt like I had another gear”
He continued: “I’ve been knocking on the door a lot since I won the first time, but to cross the line again is a good thing. I thought maybe I let it slip yesterday, but I knew I wouldn’t have two days in a row playing like that, and today I always feel like I have another gear when I need it – which it turns out I do.
“I can’t wait for next week now. Jumeriah Estates is my home club, so I’m looking forward to making a few friends there and hopefully have another good week.”
Although he failed to win the tournament, Rory McIlroy consoled himself by strengthening his place at the top of the Race to Dubai ranked third in a tie.
“I feel in good shape,” he said. “I saw Thriston [Lawrence] I charge today, and I was looking at the leaderboard and seeing what you were doing. I saw him wearing 20 under.
“Obviously I wanted to play the last one anyway, but I know that birdie, even if it’s not winning the tournament this week, obviously gives me that little bit of extra cushion going into next week. Every shot is important at this point, so I was happy to make four at the end.”
Lawrence needs to win next week’s DP World Tour Championship and McIlroy to finish 12th or worse to seize the title from the Northern Irishman.
For the final leaderboard, click here.
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