Paul Waring emerged victorious at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship with a fantastic closing round of six-under-par 66, finishing two shots ahead of Tyrrell Hatton. The 39-year-old from Birkenhead, now living in Dubai, displayed exceptional skill and composure throughout the week to finish at 24-under-par, with Rory McIlroy, Matt Wallace, and Thorbjørn Olesen close behind.
Waring’s impressive performance began with a course-record 61 at Yas Links on Friday, giving him an early lead that was challenged in the following days. Despite a slight setback with a 73 in the third round, Waring quickly regained his form with four birdies in the final round, including a crucial 40-foot putt for birdie on the 17th hole to secure his victory.
Rory McIlroy also made a strong push for the title, with four birdies in his first six holes and a final round score of 64. While McIlroy did not win the tournament, his performance helped solidify his position at the top of the Race to Dubai ranking. However, Thriston Lawrence’s stellar round of 64 put him in contention for the title, setting up an exciting showdown at the season-ending DP World Tour Championship.
Waring’s victory not only came with a €1.4 million prize but also secured him one of the 10 cards for next season’s PGA Tour and guaranteed his playing rights on the DP World Tour for the next two seasons. Reflecting on his win, Waring expressed his determination and focus throughout the tournament, highlighting the importance of maintaining his composure and staying focused on the task at hand.
Looking ahead to the next tournament at Jumeirah Estates, Waring expressed his excitement and confidence, knowing that he has the potential to perform well in familiar surroundings. Despite the challenges he faced during the tournament, Waring remained resilient and confident in his abilities, ultimately delivering a stellar performance to clinch the title.
McIlroy, while not winning the tournament, was pleased with his performance and his position in the Race to Dubai ranking. With the title still up for grabs, McIlroy acknowledged the need to stay focused and perform well in the upcoming championship to secure his position at the top of the leaderboard. Lawrence, on the other hand, will need a strong showing next week and some luck to overtake McIlroy for the title.
Overall, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship provided thrilling competition and impressive performances from the top golfers. Waring’s victory and McIlroy’s strong finish set the stage for an exciting conclusion to the season at the DP World Tour Championship, where the top players will compete for the prestigious title and valuable ranking points.
