Paul Waring collected a second DP World Tour title of his career after he fought off a number of competitors to come out on top in a tightly-contested Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
The 39-year-old Englishman, whose only previously victory on the DP World Tour came at the 2018 Nordea Masters, found himself with a considerable five-shot in the second round after he recorded a course record 11-under 61 at Yas Links – a score which was also his lowest of his career. But he saw his big lead reduce to a single shot following a third-round 73.
However, despite a number of high-quality competitors closely putting him under pressure featuring the likes of fellow countryman Tyrrell Hatton and four-time major winner Rory Mcilroy, Waring held his nerve on the final day to card a six-under 66 finished off with a sublime birdie at the last to end the tournament on 24 under, seal his first DP World Tour victory in six years, and collect the mammoth £1.2m ($1.5m) prize.
“It just means so much,” Waring said. “There’s so many other things that come with that win. To actually keep control of myself in the way I did today, I’m really proud of myself. I’m a bit taken aback right now.
“I’ll be honest, my legs were shaking a little bit over that last putt. I know I had two for it but, still, I just wanted to try and make sure nothing else could happen. Obviously great to roll that one in on the last as well.”
The victory also means that he rises up to fifth in the Race to Dubai standings and is on course to receive one of the PGA TOUR cards available for 2025.
The event also saw McIlroy tighten his grip at the top spot of the standings after producing a solid display, finishing the event tied-third on 21-under, a shot ahead of Thriston Lawrence, his closest rival in the standings meaning the Northern Irishman will enter the final event of the year in a position of real strength as he edges closer to yet more DP World Tour glory.
“I do feel in a good position,” he said. “I saw Thriston 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.
“Every shot counts at this moment in time, and I was glad to make the four at the last and at least give myself half a chance at this tournament this week, but also give myself a little bit more of a cushion going into Dubai next week as well.”
What is the next event?
The next event on the DP World Tour schedule is the final event of the year, the DP World Tour Championship taking place between 14-17 November at the Fire Course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.