England's Paul Waring revels in the spotlight after clinching the Abu Dhabi Championship on Sunday. — AFP
For Paul Waring, the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates this week is not just a homecoming but an opportunity to capitalize on the incredible momentum following his breakthrough win at the Abu Dhabi Championship. The 39-year-old Englishman made a significant impact in Abu Dhabi, securing his first Rolex Series victory in six years, outshining some of golf’s top players—including Rory McIlroy, Tyrrell Hatton, and Tommy Fleetwood. The DP World Tour Championship marks the end of the Race to Dubai, bringing the season to a thrilling conclusion. As the fifth and final Rolex Series event, it offers a substantial $10 million prize pool and 12,000 Ranking points, with the top 50 players on the Race to Dubai standings competing on the Earth course. Although defending champion Nicolai Højgaard is missing, the tournament still features a stellar lineup, including world number three McIlroy, alongside Major winners Adam Scott, Justin Rose, and Shane Lowry. The field also includes Rolex Series champions Robert MacIntyre, Tommy Fleetwood, and Min Woo Lee, while Thriston Lawrence is the only player who can prevent McIlroy from securing a record sixth Race to Dubai title.
All eyes will be on Waring as he tees off at the Earth Course on Thursday, following his sensational victory in Abu Dhabi and the impressive form he's bringing to this week’s tournament. “It hasn’t fully sunk in yet,” Waring admitted. “After that win, I still feel like I need to go out and play another hole or something!” However, his win in Abu Dhabi wasn’t just about his putting prowess but was also about timing, resilience, and seizing the moment. It also feels like the culmination of a life-changing decision made just over a year ago when he relocated to Dubai. The move has proven to be a game-changer, both professionally and personally.
“It’s been one of the best decisions of my life to move to Dubai,” he said during a media round-table at the JGE on Wednesday. “The facilities here are world-class, and I’ve got a lot of friends in the UAE. I’m looking forward to this week. It's my home course now. I have a lot of good friends there. I can't wait to see them all. I’ll have a lot of support and there will be a real buzz around the place and I can't wait for it.” Discussing his decision to make Dubai his home, Waring added: “From a travel perspective, it just made sense. With the DP World Tour moving closer to Asia, Dubai became the perfect base for me as it saved me hours of travel time. From playing in Korea at the end of October to May, I'd have gone through Dubai for every event. So, over half my season I’d go through Dubai International Airport - it made sense to base myself here, especially for the winter. And it showed how strong my start was last year,” he said. “I think I finished just outside the top 10 at Leopard Creek then I finished 16th in Mauritius just before Christmas. Those little things, those two weeks, I think just put me in great stead to start the season. So, honestly, my wife's here and so are family and friends. It's been one of the best decisions of my life – it has,” said Waring. “The support here is incredible too—especially from the members of Jumeirah Golf Estates. I feel at home here, and I can’t wait to get started this week.”
Waring’s decision to base himself in Dubai has already yielded positive results. After a strong finish to 2023, including two top-20 finishes in South Africa and Mauritius, he’s carried that form into 2024. The Abu Dhabi win was a massive boost, and now the stage is set for him to make it a career-defining double at the DP World Tour Championship. As he tees off at 12:25 PM on Thursday, all eyes will be on this Dubai-based golfer with a newfound confidence, the taste of victory fresh on his lips, and the ambition to prove that his Abu Dhabi win wasn’t just a flash in the pan. With the crowds at Jumeirah Golf Estates set to turn out in force, there’s no denying the anticipation surrounding Waring’s presence. Could he be about to claim another headline-grabbing victory? The first round kicks off at 8:30 am on Thursday, with the leaders, Thriston Lawrence and McIlroy, starting at 12:45 PM. UAE-based players in contention include Aaron Cockerill (CAN), Adrian Meronk (POL), Adrian Otaegui (SPA), Ewen Ferguson (SCO), Julien Guerrier (FRA), Guido Migliozzi (ITA), Thorbjørn Olesen (DEN), Tommy Fleetwood (ENG), and Paul Waring (ENG).
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