The almost man has to wait a little longer, but for the journeyman everything has changed in one fell swoop. While Rory McIlroy’s shared third place here at the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship on Sunday was not enough to complete the Race to Dubai a week early, Paul Waring, the world number 229 from the Wirral, powered his way to dreamland with a remarkable achievement. .
Making his 332nd appearance on the DP World Tour, the 39-year-old do-it-yourselfer took a Black and Decker to the reputation of some of Europe’s biggest names by not only McIlroy, but also Tyrrell Hatton, Shane Lowry and Tommy Fleetwood to stop you from getting the scoop. the first prize of £1.2 million. The rewards don’t end there.
Waring has also earned full rights to the PGA Tour for the 2025 season, thanks to a dazzling week in which he set a Tour record (his two-round total of 19 under was the lowest to par in the circuit’s 53-year history ).
His 11-under 61 on Friday was a new low for Yas Links and is the best of his 17-year professional career. But this bogeyless six-under 66 for a total of 24-under was even more impressive considering the conditions and considers the surrounding cast list.
Waring had looked nervous on Saturday when a five-shot lead was reduced to one, but in the final round he was cool personified in the desert.
They all came towards him. McIlroy came within one in his 64, as did Hatton, Matt Wallace, Lowry, Fleetwood and others. But the leader refused to be overhauled, even when the pressure was greatest.
With McIlroy at 21 under, Hatton birdied the 18th from 10 feet to reach 22 under with his own 64. It was the first time in three days that Waring did not have the outright lead. At the time he was ranked 15th and without a win in six years, with the sun shining and shining.
“He will do well to force a play-off,” seemed to be the general opinion. Not a bit of it. On the 17th, he stood over a 40-foot birdie and made the tournament his own, punching the air as it fell. On the 18th, he calmly converted a 10-footer for birdie for good measure.
“I’m really proud of myself for being able to keep control of myself like I did today,” he said. “I’m a bit surprised now. I’m not that emotional on golf courses. I tend not to fist pump. But on the 17th I made an exception. As soon as it left the knife I knew it was in there.
Waring is one of the popular characters in the locker room. His talent has never been doubted, but he has suffered a number of serious injuries over the years that have hampered his progress. Everything is now up for grabs, including a shot at the Ryder Cup. After living in Dubai for the past few years, should Waring make a decision? “To be honest, I’m really happy living here,” he said. ‘It’s going to be a long journey, a long journey to America. But I am absolutely made up.”
Hatton had to take consolation after following up his victory at the Dunhill Links last month with a second-place finish in this, his next event. The LIV rebel has picked up some valuable Ryder Cup points and has all but assured himself a place in next year’s Open. For McIlroy, despite his wonderful conclusion, there was a slightly bitter taste.
The world No. 3 had a triple-bogey at the 17th on Friday and a double-bogey at the 18th on Saturday. “Of course I will regret those mistakes,” he said. However, he finished one ahead of Thriston Lawrence and the South African is the only player at the DP World Tour Championship, which starts in Dubai on Thursday, who can prevent McIlroy from lifting a sixth order of merit title.
Lawrence must win and count on McIlroy finishing outside the top 11. The Northern Irishman has dubbed himself “The Nearly Man” after recent close calls at the US Open, Irish Open and Wentworth. But more meaningful silverware should happen within a week.
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