ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — 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.

Four-time major winner Rory McIlroy, former Open champion Shane Lowry and Ryder Cup stars Tommy Fleetwood, Tyrrell Hatton and Thorbjorn Olesen were among those to turn up the heat on Waring during a thrilling final round.

At 24-under total, Waring was two shots ahead of English compatriot Tyrrell Hatton (64). World No. 3 Rory McIlroy (64) finished in a three-way tie for third place at 21-under alongside Matt Wallace (63) and Thorbjoern Olesen (66).

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.

Paul Waring birdies the final two holes to win the Abu Dhabi Championship by two shots from fellow Englishman Tyrell Hatton.

Rory McIlroy was among the players to make a charge during a thrilling final round of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship but it was Paul Waring who held his nerve to claim victory

England's Paul Waring birdied the last two holes for a bogey-free six-under-par 66 on Sunday to win the Abu Dhabi Championship by two shots. Waring delivered the hammer blow on the chasing pack with a 41-feet birdie putt on the par-3 17th hole,

Paul Waring produced a stunning finish to hold off a stellar chasing pack and win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. The 39-year-old from the Wirral had taken control of the event with a course-record 61 at Yas Links on Friday but saw his five-shot halfway lead reduced to one with a 73 on Saturday.