Paul Waring wins after birdie race in Abu Dhabi

Paul Waring pulled off a stunning chase to win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.

The 39-year-old from Wirral had taken control of the race with a 61 at Yas Links on Friday but saw his five-shot half-time lead reduced to one with a 73 on Saturday.

Waring had mentioned feeling nervous in the third round, but showed nerves of steel in a flawless closing 66 to secure victory with a 24-under par total.

Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy, former Open champion Shane Lowry and Ryder Cup stars Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton and Thorbjorn Olesen were among those who fueled Waring’s excitement during the thrilling final round.

But Waring, who won his only previous DP World Tour title at the Nordea Masters more than six years ago, responded to his capture by Hatton with a birdie from 40 feet on the 17th and flawlessly played the last one for the biggest win of his career.

“This means a lot for a lot of the things that come with the win,” said Waring, who moved into fifth place in the Race to Dubai and is poised to earn one of 10 PGA Tour cards on offer for 2025.

“I’m a little stunned right now.

“I could see the one on 17 going all the way through and I knew I was going to pierce it. As soon as I let go of the knife I knew it was in there.

“I’ll be honest, the legs were a little shaky in the last inning. “I wanted to make sure there wasn’t anything else going on, and it’s great to include that in the last one.”

McIlroy was the first to strike early, with the Northern Irishman birthing four of his first six holes.

Waring responded with back-to-back wins to start his tour, but British duo Matthew Jordan and Matt Wallace moved within one of the leaders with the Eagles in seventh and 11th respectively.

McIlroy missed a short par effort in the seventh and from two feet for birdie two holes later, his challenge ultimately unsuccessful.

Waring was rewarded with a perfect bunker shot in the seventh and birdied the 10th to keep the chasing pack at bay, but he missed a decent chance at 13 and muzzled the next shot.

Waring was forced to score par after a reverse drive on lap 15; Up front former winner Hatton birdied the final two to see Waring caught for the first time in two days and set the clubhouse target at 22 under.

Then came the magic moment when Waring converted from 40 feet on the 17th, finally hitting a perfect drive, making a three-wood run from the back of the green and soaring up and down to seal the victory.

Hatton finished second with a superb closing 64, while McIlroy, Olesen and Wallace finished third at 21-under.

McIlroy extended his lead over Thriston Lawrence in the Race to Dubai heading into next week’s final race.

“I feel in a good position,” he said. “I saw Thriston scrimmaging today and I was keeping one eye on the scoreboard and seeing what he was doing. I saw he had 20 posts.

“Every shot counts now and I was happy to make it to four last and give myself at least half a chance in this tournament this week, while also giving myself a bit more support going into Dubai next week as well.”