Shane Lowry has won the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, beating South African Richard Sterne by one shot after a sensational fight back.
The Offaly man nailed a two-foot final hole putt to birdie. It capped a remarkable performance and a worthy win. The emotion was evident as he celebrated on the final green and he expressed his delight both at the result and the manner of it. "I completely thought I was gone. I didn't think I had that in me today. How hard I fought for that. It has been a tough couple of years on the course."
He's done it!??? @ShaneLowryGolf wins the @ADGolfChamps! #ADGolfChamps #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/qXG1nWhBVC
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) January 19, 2019
Lowry found himself four shots adrift after a challenging opening but the final hole epitomised his superb attitude. After a wonderful tussle through the back-nine, Lowry demonstrated all his class with a perfect 281-yard drive under pressure.
281 yards. Tournament on the line.
Step up @ShaneLowryGolf... pic.twitter.com/srYGAPsi4m
— The European Tour (@EuropeanTour) January 19, 2019
That moment. The emotion.
Shane Lowry wins the #ADGolfChamps. His 1st win since 2015. ?? pic.twitter.com/pIQRppQmdL
— National Club Golfer (@NCGMagazine) January 19, 2019
"Oh, this feels nice!" 🙌🏼🏆#ADGolfChamps #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/eHd9X5i40B
— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) January 19, 2019
It is his first tournament victory in three and a half years. Having begun the day with a three-shot lead, the tables turned on the front nine as South African Sterne tore into pole position. Lowry rallied with birdies on 12 and 13 and the pair were tied on -17 by the time they approached the final hole.
Lowry personified coolness while his rival needed a free drop off the footpath. It ended in triumph for the Irishman, to complete a dramatic and deserved fight back.
