Golf: Shane Lowry Wins Abu Dhabi Title

Lowry takes Abu Dhabi Title

By: Francis Joseph

Shane Lowry birdied the final hole to beat Richard Sterne by one stroke and win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in a dramatic final-round battle.The Irishman had led Sterne by three shots on 17 under par heading into Saturday's play, but was two over for the round through 11 holes.

By contrast, Sterne came firing out of the blocks with six birdies and just one bogey to go out in 31 strokes and Lowry's dropped shot at the 11th meant the South African led by four.

However, Lowry picked up back-to-back gains at the 12th and 13th, while Sterne made bogeys at the 14th and 16th to leave the duo tied with two to play.It looked like a play-off may be on the cards until Lowry crunched a wonderful 281-yard approach onto the green in two atthe par-five fifth, while Sterne went wayward into the crowd.

Sterne recovered to make par, but Lowry left himself a simple putt for birdie to finish one under for the round and 18 under for the tournament.

The thrilling ending left Lowry celebrating a first European Tour victory since 2015.