Underrated Waring wins Abu Dhabi Championship with biggest victory of career

ABU DHABI – Paul Waring carded the 6-under 66 to win the Abu Dhabi Championship on Sunday, the biggest victory of his career.

The 229th-seeded Englishman had a one-stroke lead on the night and finished at 24 under. Even he was surprised at how smoothly the fourth and final lap went.

“It really was a pretty easy day, wasn’t it? “This means a lot,” Waring, 39, said. “I’m really proud of myself for being able to really control myself like I did today.”

Two shots off countryman Tyrrell Hatton, who had eight birdies in his 64, he was tied for third, three shots behind Danish golfer Thorbjorn Olesen (66), Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy (64) and England’s Matt Wallace (63).

It was his second DP World Tour title in his 332nd appearance and six years after his first title at the Nordea Masters.

Waring’s 19-under score after two rounds at Abu Dhabi’s Yas Links was the lowest 36-hole score in European tour history.

He now faces the prospect of playing as a dual member on both the DP World Tour and the PGA Tour.

“To be honest, I was quite happy living in Dubai,” he said. “It’s going to be a long journey, it’s going to be a long journey to get to America. But I’m looking forward to it. It’s a new challenge. It’s definitely made up.”

Sunday’s victory also secured him a spot at The Open next year.

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AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf