Journeyman Paul Waring recorded the biggest win of his career by seizing a two-stroke victory over fellow Englishman Tyrrell Hatton in the Abu Dhabi Championship in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday.

Waring, 39, maintained his one-stroke lead after the third round and shot a 6-under-par 66 on Sunday to finish 24-under at Yas Links. He birdied his final two holes to fend off Hatton and Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland and capture his second career title. He also won the Nordea Masters in 2018.

“It was quite an easy day really, wasn’t it? It just means so much,” said Waring, who pocketed $1.53 million for winning the tournament. “To actually keep control of myself in the way that I did today I’m really proud of myself.”

Waring, who is ranked 229th in the world, will entertain playing as a dual member on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour.

“I was quite happy living in Dubai to be honest with you,” he said. “It’s going to be a long way to travel, a long commute over to America. But I’m looking forward to that. It’s a new challenge. Absolutely made up.”

Hatton collected eight birdies en route to a 64 on Sunday. He finished three strokes ahead of McIlroy (64), Danish golfer Thorbjorn Olesen (66) and Englishman Matt Wallace (63).

McIlroy said he felt like he was in a good position for The Race to Dubai.

“Yeah, I do feel in a good position,” he said. “I saw (South African Thirston Lawrence) 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.

“Obviously I wanted to birdie the last, anyway, but I know that birdie, even if it isn’t to win the tournament this week, it obviously gives me that little bit extra of a cushion going into next week. 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.”

Lawrence was one of four golfers tied for sixth place at 20-under.

Denmark’s Niklas Norgaard, who entered the final round just one stroke behind Waring, shot a 70 on Sunday to finish in a three-way tie for 10th place.

–Field Level Media