Journeyman Paul Waring of England birdied the final two holes to fend off late challenges from Tyrrell Hatton and Rory McIlroy and win the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship at Yas Links in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

The victory was his second in 332 starts on the DP World Tour and his most important. It earned him $1,530,000, moving him to fifth place on the tour’s money list, virtually ensuring a top-10 finish. The top 10 money winners earn PGA Tour cards for 2025.

“It was actually a pretty easy day, wasn’t it?” said. “It means a lot to a lot of other things that come with that win. That being said, at the beginning of the week, to stay in control of myself like I did today, I am very proud of myself. Playing as a teammate was amazing, Shane (Lowry), was great as was Niklas (Norgaard). I’m a little puzzled right now.

“I don’t want to sound over the top or anything, but I felt like my golf game has been in a really good place over the last year. I just haven’t put it all together. And then this week comes and you know what, a week for everything to come together, the approach game was great, great off the tee. It’s good to put it all together and get a tournament like this.”

Hatton also birdied the final two holes before Waring posted a final round of eight under par (64) and a 72-hole total of 22 under par (266). But Waring, 39, who shot a course-record 61 in the second round. , did the same with his own final birdies for a round of 6-under 66 and a 72-hole total of 24-under 264.

“I was absolutely fine until, to be honest, I thought the second shot on 18 was absolutely perfect. Seeing it last a long time was: ‘okay, I still have business, I still have things to do.’

So I got my head back. I’ll be honest, my legs were shaking a little during the last putt. I just wanted to make sure nothing else could happen and it’s great to include it in the last one too.”

The victory was the second of Waring’s DP World Tour career and came in his 332nd start.

Rory McIlroy, meanwhile, finished with an eight-under 64 and tied for third place with Matt Wallace of England and Thorbjorn Olesen of Denmark, three shots off the lead.