A flawless finish at Yas Links secures waring’s biggest DP World Tour victory, holding off Tyrrell Hatton and Rory McIlroy in a dramatic final round

Paul Waring put on a masterclass under pressure to clinch the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, pulling off the biggest win of his career with a flawless final round on Sunday, 10th November 2024. The 39-year-old Englishman, who had taken command with a blistering course-record 61 on Friday, held his nerve against a star-studded field to finish two shots clear of Ryder Cup stalwart Tyrrell Hatton.

Despite seeing his five-stroke lead dwindle after a shaky 73 on Saturday, Waring found his form when it mattered most. His bogey-free closing 66 at Yas Links brought his total to an impressive 24-under-par, enough to secure his first DP World Tour title in over six years. Speaking after his emotional victory, Waring said, “It just means so much — not just for today, but for everything that comes with it. I’m a bit taken aback right now.”

The win elevates Waring to fifth in the Race to Dubai standings and practically guarantees him one of the coveted 10 PGA Tour cards on offer for 2025, marking a significant milestone in his late-blooming career. The Wirral native’s composure under pressure was epitomised by a clutch 40-foot birdie putt on the 17th hole, which broke a tense deadlock with Hatton and ultimately sealed the victory.

From the outset, the final day was packed with drama as Rory McIlroy, Tyrrell Hatton, and a host of other big names mounted fierce challenges. McIlroy, in particular, started with a bang, carding birdies on four of his first six holes to put early pressure on the leader. However, missed opportunities on the 7th and 9th ultimately hindered his pursuit.

Meanwhile, Hatton, who played his final holes with steely determination, birdied the 17th and 18th to post a clubhouse target of 22-under. But it was Waring’s moment of brilliance on the 17th that turned the tide. “I could see it tracking in from the moment it left the putter,” Waring recalled. “Legs were shaking on the last hole, but I kept my focus to close it out.”

Waring’s steady play throughout the back nine kept his rivals at bay, despite relentless charges from Matthew Jordan, Matt Wallace, and Thorbjørn Olesen, who all briefly came within striking distance. A perfectly executed bunker shot on the 7th and a birdie on the 10th solidified his lead, even as he navigated a few nervy moments, including a missed birdie putt on the 14th and a scrambled par on the 15th after a wayward drive.

The decisive moment came with Waring’s birdie bomb on the penultimate hole. He followed it with a nerveless drive on the 18th, a three-wood approach that found the back of the green, and a calm up-and-down to close with a par, securing a two-stroke victory.

Hatton’s brilliant closing round of 64 earned him a well-deserved second place, while McIlroy, Olesen, and Wallace shared third at 21-under-par. The result extends McIlroy’s lead over Thriston Lawrence in the Race to Dubai standings as they head into the season finale. Reflecting on his performance, McIlroy said, “I’m pleased with my position going into next week. Every shot counts now, and I’m looking forward to the challenge in Dubai.”

For Waring, this victory marks a new chapter in his career. His only previous DP World Tour win was at the Nordea Masters in 2018, making this triumph in Abu Dhabi a long-awaited return to the winner’s circle. As the 2025 season approaches, Waring will now look forward to competing on the PGA Tour, buoyed by this career-defining moment.

The spotlight now shifts to the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, where McIlroy and the rest of the top contenders will battle for supremacy. However, for Paul Waring, this win in Abu Dhabi will remain a moment to savour — a testament to resilience, determination, and a touch of magic when it mattered most