ABU DHABI HSBC GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

November 10, 2024

Paul Waring

Yas Links

Quick Quotes

Q. Abu Dhabi HSBC Champion 2024, your first win in six years. Your first in a Rolex Series Event. What does this mean to you?

PAUL WARING: It was quite an easy day really, wasn't it. It just means so much to so many other things that come with that win. That said, early in the week, to actually keep control of myself in the way that I did today I'm really proud of myself, and Alex was absolutely amazing. Playing partner was amazing, Shane, was great as was Niklas. I'm a bit taken aback right now.

Q. There are always key moments, turning points and yours came at 17 with that huge putt. What that adrenaline rush was like. 7

PAUL WARING: Massive. I'm not that emotional, anyway, on golf courses. I tend not to fist-pump and I tend not to get up and down, and I tend to stay quite steady. It was actually the putt on 15, the par save. It was only five feet but it was such a solid put. It just gave me so much confidence coming in that if I just keep hitting putts like that I'll be fine.

The one on 17, I could just see it tracking in the whole way, and just knew I was going to hole it. As soon as it left the blade, I knew it was in. So yeah, it was a big moment. Big, big moment.

Q. You admitted to me yesterday you were jittery at times. What were the emotions out there? You looked cool and calm, but what was going on inside?

PAUL WARING: You know, what I was absolutely fine until -- I'll be honest with you, I thought the second shot into 18 was absolutely perfect. To see it go long was, right, I've still got business, still got stuff to do.

So got my head back on. I'll be honest, legs were shaking a little bit over that last putt. I just wanted to make sure that nothing else could happen and great to roll that one in on the last as well.

Q. A week in which you set your career low round, which was a course record. You set a new 36-hole record for the DP World Tour, can which has got a long history, 19-under par. Hit the shot of your life. Do you feel like you're dreaming?

PAUL WARING: A little bit. A little bit. I don't want to sound over the top or anything but I felt like my golf game has been in such a good place over the last year. Just haven't put it all together. And then this week arrives and you know what, a week for it all to come together, putting nicely, approach play was great, great off the tee. It's nice to put it all together and get a tournament like this.

Q. You're predicted to fifth in The Race to Dubai. That will secure you almost certainly a PGA TOUR card. Life-changing stuff. Give us your thoughts on potentially playing over in America next year and having the chance to play both tours?

PAUL WARING: I was quite happy living in Dubai to be honest with you. 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. I don't know if that's the case. Absolutely made up.

Q. You've got some lovely friends waiting back there to celebrate with you. Celebrations going to be good?

PAUL WARING: I'm a bit worried, actually.