Low-ranked Waring wins Abu Dhabi Championship for the biggest victory of his career

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.

“It was quite an easy day really, wasn’t it? It just means so much," the 39-year-old Waring said. "To actually keep control of myself in the way that I did today I’m really proud of myself.”

He finished two shots clear of countryman Tyrrell Hatton — who had eight birdies in his 64 — and three clear of Danish golfer Thorbjorn Olesen (66), Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy (64) and Englishman Matt Wallace (63) in a tie for third.

“It hasn’t sunk in yet. I still think I’ve got to play another hole or something,” an emotional Waring said. “It hasn’t quite hit me yet. I’m sure it will do later on when I’m having a beer.”

It was only his second DP World Tour title on his 332nd appearance and six years after his first at the Nordea Masters.

“I've been knocking on the door a few times. I've had a few seconds (second places)," Waring said. “I've been in and around it. To get over the line again is fantastic... I'll probably still be hungover come Thursday.”

Waring's 19-under score after two rounds at Abu Dhabi's Yas Links was the lowest 36-hole score to par in European tour history.

Now he faces the prospect of playing as a dual member on both 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.”

Sunday's triumph also sealed him a place at The Open next year.

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

Paul Waring of England reacts after winning the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Paul Waring of England celebrates with his caddie after winning the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Paul Waring and his wife pose with the trophy during the awards ceremony after winning the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Paul Waring of England celebrates after winning the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Tyrell Hatton of England tees off at 8th hole in the final round of Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland tees off at 8th hole in the final round of Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Paul Waring of England prepares to take a shot on 7th green in the final round of Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Paul Waring of England lines up a putt on the 1st green in the final round of Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

Paul Waring of England plays his second shot on the 1st hole in the final round of Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. (AP Photo/Altaf Qadri)

TORONTO (AP) — Linus Ullmark made 27 saves for his first shutout of the season as the Ottawa Senators blanked the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-0 on Tuesday night.

Josh Norris, Tim Stutzle and Michael Amadio scored for Ottawa. Artem Zub added two assists.

Anthony Stolarz stopped 38 shots for Toronto, which saw its three-game winning streak come to an end.

The teams met for the first time since Leafs defenseman Morgan Rielly cross-checked Ridly Greig up high after the Senators forward took a slapshot into an empty net on a breakaway in a 5-3 victory Feb. 10. Rielly was suspended five games for the incident.

Toronto captain Auston Matthews missed a fourth straight contest with an upper-body injury. Veteran winger Max Pacioretty, meanwhile, is out week-to-week after suffering a lower-body injury in Saturday’s 4-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens.

Ottawa center Shane Pinto returned to action following an eight-game absence.

Senators: Ullmark picked up his first shutout in an Ottawa uniform since coming over from the Boston Bruins in an off-season trade. The goaltender signed a four-year, $33-million extension last month.

Leafs: The home side had allowed 34 shots on three occasions in 2024-25 before Tuesday. Ottawa directed 35 pucks on target through 40 minutes against Toronto.

Stutzle made it 2-0 early in the second period before Amadio fired past Stolarz less than a minute later to put the visitors up by three.

Ottawa, which hasn’t made the playoffs since its run to the 2017 Eastern Conference final, won three of four meetings between the Atlantic Division rivals last season.

The Senators host the Flyers on Thursday. The Maple Leafs visit the Capitals on Wednesday.

AP NHL: https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL

Toronto Maple Leafs' Mitch Marner reacts during the second period of an NHL hockey game against the Ottawa Senators in Toronto, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Toronto Maple Leafs' Bobby McMann, left, battles for the puck with Ottawa Senators' Nick Jensen during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Ottawa Senators' Josh Norris, right, eyes the puck as he battles for position with Toronto Maple Leafs' Pontus Holmberg during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Ottawa Senators' Tim Stutzle, second right, celebrates with teammates after scoring against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Ottawa Senators' Josh Norris (9) celebrates with Claude Giroux, center, and Ridly Greig (71) after scoring his team's opening goal against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Ottawa Senators' Michael Amadio (22) shoots on Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Anthony Stolarz, front right, during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Ottawa Senators' Josh Norris, left, celebrates with Claude Giroux after scoring against the Toronto Maple Leafs during the first period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)

Ottawa Senators goaltender Linus Ullmark makes a stop in front of Toronto Maple Leafs' Steven Lorentz during the second period of an NHL hockey game in Toronto, Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. (Chris Young/The Canadian Press via AP)