Rory McIlroy misses out on $1.5m payday after World No. 229 beats him to win

Paul Waring clinched the biggest victory of his career on Sunday, winning the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship with a six-under 66.
The Englishman, ranked 229th, was one stroke ahead overnight and finished on 24 under. Waring received a cheque for £1.2 million ($1.5 million) after his victory.
He expressed surprise at how smoothly the fourth and final round went. “It was quite an easy day really, wasn’t it? It just means so much,” said the 39-year-old Waring. “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 fellow Englishman Tyrrell Hatton – who had eight birdies in his round of 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.”
This is only Waring’s 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 admitted. “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.”
His victory on Sunday also secured him a spot at the Open Championship next year.