England’s Paul Waring had his lead cut to one in the Abu Dhabi Championship after a one-over-par 73 in the third round. Waring, who had set a course record of 61 in the second round, now leads Danish golfer Niklas Norgaard by just one shot going into the final round at Yas Links.
Waring’s Lead Shrinks Going into Final Round
England’s Paul Waring started the third round of the Abu Dhabi Championship with a birdie on the second hole but followed it up with bogeys on the fourth and 14th. Despite a disappointing round, Waring finished 18 under for the tournament, holding a narrow one-shot advantage over Denmark’s Niklas Norgaard, who carded a 69.
“I could have really moved forward today and put myself out of sight,” Waring told Sky Sports, “but in four rounds of golf, you’re always going to have an iffy round. If you’d offered me a one-shot lead at the start of the week, I would have snapped your hand off.”
English golfer Tommy Fleetwood and Ireland’s Shane Lowry are tied for third place, just three shots behind Waring. Fleetwood, a two-time Abu Dhabi winner, shot a 71 despite struggles with his putter. Meanwhile, Lowry’s round of 66 included an eagle on the second hole and five birdies.
McIlroy’s Struggles and Detry’s Bogey-Free Round
Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy, who started the day nine shots off the lead, made a strong charge, reducing the gap to three shots. However, McIlroy’s double-bogey at the final hole derailed his momentum, leaving him with a 69 for the day and 13 under for the tournament.
“I dug myself a bit of a hole to get out of, but I can still go into tomorrow feeling like I have half a chance,” McIlroy said. He remains in contention for his sixth Race to Dubai win if he finishes in the top two in Abu Dhabi.
Belgium’s Thomas Detry carded a bogey-free 10-under-par 62 in the third round, joining a group of six players on 14 under. Detry’s performance, along with Scotland’s Robert MacIntyre, England’s Tyrrell Hatton, and others, has made the leaderboard incredibly tight as the final round approaches.
Abu Dhabi Championship: Final Round Drama Expected
The Abu Dhabi Championship is shaping up to be an exciting final day with several players within striking distance of the lead. Waring, Norgaard, and others like Fleetwood, Lowry, and McIlroy will all be hoping to put together their best performances to secure the title.
Waring’s lead may be slim, but his determination and past experience at the top of the leaderboard could prove crucial in the final round. With a host of challengers eager to make their move, the final round promises to be a thrilling conclusion to what has already been a remarkable tournament.
For the latest updates on the Abu Dhabi Championship, visit BBC and Eurasia Sports.
