Paul Waring held off a stellar chasing pack to win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship with a closing six-under-par 66..
The 39-year-old from Birkenhead, who now lives in Dubai, displayed nerves of steel as he got to 24-under-par for the week and finished two shots ahead of Tyrrell Hatton, with Rory McIlroy, Matt Wallace and Thorbjørn Olesen a shot further back.
Waring had taken control of the first event of the new DP World Tour Play-Offs with a course-record 61 at Yas Links on Friday, but saw his five-shot halfway lead reduced to one as he posted a 73 a day later.
Waring, whose only previous European title came at the Nordea Masters more than six years ago, made a fast start with two opening birdies and added two more at the seventh and 10th.
He responded to being caught by Hatton with a moment of magic as he converted from 40 feet for birdie at the par-3 17th, before hitting a perfect drive at the par-five last, running a 3-wood through the back of the green in two and getting up and down to seal victory.
McIlroy on the move
McIlroy had the chance to make his lead in the Race to Dubai unassailable and was first to make an early charge as the four-time Major winner birdied four of his first six holes.
He bogeyed the fifth and added five more gains to sign for a 64, but the race continues into the season-ending DP World Tour Championship after closest challenger Thriston Lawrence recorded two eagles and four birdies in his round of 64 to get to 20 under and a tie for sixth alongside Tommy Fleetwood, and French pair Ugo Coussaud and Antoine Rozner
Waring’s victory came with a €1.4m pay day and also secured him one of the 10 cards on offer for next season’s PGA Tour, as well as his playing rights on the DP World Tour for the next two seasons.
He said: “I never let myself think that I was over the line at any point – I always knew there was a job to be done. The birdie on the 17th was massive. Standing over the putt, I could see the line really clearly and really fancied it. I pretty much knew it was in as soon as it left the blade. I know that sounds a bit cocky, but it was so pure and I was just absolutely buzzing to see it go in.”
“I always felt like I had another gear”
He added: “I’ve been knocking on the door a few times since my first win, but to get over the line again is fantastic. I thought I might have let it slip yesterday, but I knew I wouldn’t have two days in a row playing like that, and today I always felt I had another gear if I needed it – which it turned out that I did.
“I can’t wait for next week now. Jumeriah Estates is my home club, so I’m looking forward to catching up with a few friends there and hopefully having another good week.”
Despite failing to win the tournament, Rory McIlroy took solace in cementing his position at the top of the Race to Dubai ranking in finishing tied third.
“I do feel in a good position,” he said. “I saw Thriston [Lawrence] making a charge today, and I was keeping one eye on the leaderboard and looking at what he was doing. I saw he posted 20 under.
“Obviously I wanted to birdie the last anyway, but I know that birdie, even if it isn’t to win the tournament this week, obviously gives me that little bit extra of a cushion going into next week. Every shot counts at this moment, so I was glad to make a four at the last.”
Lawrence needs to win next week’s DP World Tour Championship and for McIlroy to finishes 12th or worse to wrestle the title off the Northern Irishman.
For the final leaderboard, click here.
Paul Waring’s winning gear
Driver: Ping G430 LST
Fairway Woods: Ping G430 Max (15°), Titleist TS2 (18°)
Utility: Wilson Staff Model
Iron: Wilson Staff Model CB 24 (5-9)
Wedges: Wilson Staff Model 24 ZM (46°, 50°), Titleist Vokey SM10 (56°, 60°)
Putter: Odyssey 2-Ball Tour Lined Eleven
Ball: Titleist Pro V1 X Left Dash