ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) 鈥� Paul Waring carded a 6-under 66 to win the Abu Dhabi Championship for the biggest victory of his career on Sunday.
The 229th-ranked Englishman was one stroke ahead overnight and finished on 24 under. He even surprised himself at how smoothly the fourth and final round went.
鈥淚t was quite an easy day really, wasn鈥檛 it? It just means so much," the 39-year-old Waring said. "To actually keep control of myself in the way that I did today I鈥檓 really proud of myself.鈥�
He finished two shots clear of countryman Tyrrell Hatton 鈥� who had eight birdies in his 64 鈥� and three clear of Danish golfer Thorbjorn Olesen (66), Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy (64) and Englishman Matt Wallace (63) in a tie for third. Aaron Cockerill of Stony Mountain, Man., had a 68 on the day and finished 10 under for the tournament.
鈥淚t hasn鈥檛 sunk in yet. I still think I鈥檝e got to play another hole or something,鈥� an emotional Waring said. 鈥淚t hasn鈥檛 quite hit me yet. I鈥檓 sure it will do later on when I鈥檓 having a beer.鈥�
It was only his second DP World Tour title on his 332nd appearance and six years after his first at the Nordea Masters.
鈥淚've been knocking on the door a few times. I've had a few seconds (second places)," . 鈥淚've been in and around it. To get over the line again is fantastic... I'll probably still be hungover come Thursday.鈥�
Waring's 19-under score after two rounds at Abu Dhabi's Yas Links was the lowest 36-hole score to par in European tour history.
Now he faces the prospect of playing as a dual member on both the DP World Tour and PGA Tour.
鈥淚 was quite happy living in Dubai to be honest with you," he said. "It鈥檚 going to be a long way to travel, a long commute over to America. But I鈥檓 looking forward to that. It鈥檚 a new challenge. Absolutely made up.鈥�
Sunday's triumph also sealed him a place at The Open next year.
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AP golf:
The Associated Press
