Today's Edition
KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)
The European continent’s best 70 golfers this season will be teeing off at the Yas Links Golf Course in Abu Dhabi for the four days starting on Thursday.
As the European Tour heads into its decisive UAE stop, the spotlight turns to the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship – the first leg of the two-part play-offs in the DP World Race to Dubai.
The field will be culled by 20 names, leaving the top 50 to compete in the season-ending DP World Tour World Championship at Dubai’s Jumeirah Golf Estates. Among the Tour’s big hitters, though, one familiar name will be missing from the field.
Defending champion Paul Waring will not be teeing up in Abu Dhabi as he continues his recovery from a shoulder injury. The Englishman, who captured hearts with his composed performance last year, admitted to deep disappointment at having to sit out the event.
“I’m obviously almost devastated that I’m not going to be playing, not going to be defending the title,” Waring told Aletihad. “Sadly, I’ve got a small tear in my left shoulder. It’s like a football player with a hamstring issue – it just takes rest and rehab. Hopefully, I’ll be back towards the end of the year, if not at the start of next season.”
Waring, speaking as much as a competitor as a fan of the region’s golf, emphasised how significant the UAE leg is to the players’ calendar.
“We talk about it from January – it’s the pinnacle of our season,” he said. “It’s not just about points and prize money. It’s about coming back to an amazing place, playing two great golf courses, and enjoying the local hospitality along the way.”
Yas Links, a course that blends coastal elegance with a challenging layout, remains one of Waring’s favourites.
“It’s something very different for the region,” he explained. “Working alongside the waterways and mangroves gives it a hint of true links golf. It’s firm, fast and beautifully conditioned. The first time I played it last year, I couldn’t tell where the fairway ended and the green began – that’s how good it was.”
As for the test awaiting the field, Waring pointed to the closing stretch. “Eighteen is tough – a really tough finishing hole,” he said. “If the wind turns, holes 15 through 18 can be brutal. Even the tee shot at nine can be a defining moment; you can be aggressive, but there’s a lot of trouble waiting.”
While Waring watches from the sidelines, much of the attention will be on England’s Marco Penge, currently ranked second in the DP World standings. The 27-year-old has enjoyed a breakthrough year, winning three titles and breaking into the world’s top 30 – an achievement he rates as “nine out of 10.”
“It would’ve been 10 if I’d got picked for Bethpage,” he said with a grin, referring to the Ryder Cup. “But I’m happy where I am. I always believed I could get here, and it’s great to see it paying off.”
Penge credited his rise to a shift in mentality. “I’ve learned to accept failure,” he explained. “I’ve got real belief in my process, so if I don’t play well one week, it’s fine. I just focus on getting better every day.”
Despite his rapid ascent, Penge insists he’s resisted complacency. “I haven’t really celebrated much,” he said. “There’s a time and place for that – probably Christmas. Each week I’ve just reset my goals and looked ahead.”
This week, Penge will play alongside Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton, a pairing that excites him as much as it challenges him.
“I’m buzzing,” he admitted. “It’s going to be fun to play with Rory for the first time. He was an idol growing up, and hopefully I can hold my own. I love the feeling of being respected and putting on a show for the fans.”
Penge has also begun to embrace his growing profile. “Last week, tons of kids came up to me, wanting to talk. That’s what it’s all about – being a role model for the younger generation,” he said.
As for Yas Links, Penge believes the layout plays to his strengths. “Driving the ball straight will be key,” he said. “The greens are big, so it’ll come down to who holes the most putts. It suits a long hitter if they play well.”
With confidence high and momentum on his side, Penge now eyes the world’s elite.
“I’m 29th now, and not many points drop off next year,” he said. “If I can match this year again, it’ll be interesting to see how high I can climb. I just want to keep getting better – the rest will take care of itself.”
