Wirral golfer Paul Waring edges out Rory McIlroy to claim biggest win of his career

Paul Waring triumphed amidst intense competition to clinch the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. The Wirral-born 39-year-old golfer had grabbed the spotlight with a record-breaking 61 at Yas Links on Friday, but despite seeing his commanding five-stroke lead whittled down to just one after a third-round 73 on Saturday, he displayed remarkable poise.

Waring mentioned his tense experience in round three, yet exhibited steely resolve by carding a spotless closing 66 to celebrate victory with a dazzling 24-under-par total. Golfing greats such as four-time major champion Rory McIlroy, previous Open victor Shane Lowry, and Ryder Cup luminaries Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton, and Thorbjorn Olesen amped up the pressure during an enthralling final day battle.

Nevertheless, Bromborough's Waring, whose sole previous DP World Tour win was over half a decade ago at the Nordea Masters, answered Hatton's challenge with a phenomenal 40-foot birdie at the penultimate hole, then sealed the momentous achievement at the last node.

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The former Wirral Grammar School for Boys pupil said: "It just means so much to so many other things that come with that win," with Waring now poised to ascend to fifth in the Race to Dubai rankings, also eyeing one of the illustrious PGA Tour cards scheduled for 2025 distribution. Reflecting on pivotal strokes, he recalled: "The one on 17, I could just see it tracking in the whole way and just knew I was going to hole it. As soon as it left the blade, I knew it was in."

Admitting to the tension, he confessed: "I’ll be honest, legs were shaking a little bit over that last putt. I just wanted to make sure that nothing else could happen and great to roll that one in on the last as well."

McIlroy was quick off the mark, birdieing four of his first six holes. Waring answered with consecutive gains to kick off his round, while English duo Matthew Jordan - also from Wirral - and Matt Wallace edged closer to the lead with eagles at the seventh and 11th.

McIlroy's momentum faltered as he missed a short par putt on the seventh and a birdie chance from eight feet on the ninth, leaving his challenge wanting. Waring capitalised on an impressive bunker shot for a gain at the seventh and added another birdie at the 10th to maintain distance from the pack, although he squandered opportunities at the 13th and 14th.

A wayward drive on the 15th forced Waring to fight for par, while Hatton, a former winner, birdied the final two holes to join Waring at the top of the leaderboard at 22 under, having led solo for two days. Waring then produced a stroke of brilliance, sinking a 40-footer on the 17th, followed by a flawless drive on the last, chipping through the back of the green and securing the win with an up-and-down.

Hatton clinched second place with a remarkable closing 64, as McIlroy, Olesen, and Wallace tied for third at 21 under. McIlroy, looking ahead to the final event next week, increased his Race to Dubai lead over Thriston Lawrence.

"I do feel in a good position," he commented. "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."