Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA: Final day as it happened - Shane Lowry is the champion


  • English
  • Arabic

17.55 Lowry lifts the trophy

A sweet moment for Shane Lowry as he lifts the Falcon Trophy to celebrate becoming the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA winner for 2019.

The simple facts are that he started the day leading by three shots, was trailing by four after 11 holes, was back level on the 16th and then won it on 18th.

One of the best finishes in the tournament's history and Richard Sterne, who is runner-up, played his part in a great day.

That concludes our live updates. Please stay on the site and keep an eye out for Paul Radley's report from the action.

____________

17.10 Shane Lowry wins

Shane Lowry is the 2019 winner of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA.

The Irishman holds his nerve on the 18th as he birdies the hole to finish on -18 and that gives him the title from Richard Sterne.

Lowry had started the day three ahead of Sterne, but an impressive start from the South African helped him open up a four-shot lead by the 11th hole.

But Lowry hit back and he drew level on the 16th hole after a Sterne bogey before he triumphed on the final hole.

__________

16.50 Level going down the 18th

So after 71 holes it is effectively sudden death between Richard Sterne and Shane Lowry. They are tied on -17 with just the par-five 18 to come.

It has been a thrilling duel and is there a final twist in the tale?

__________

16.45 All square again

Two holes remaining and Richard Sterne and Shane Lowry are back level at the top on -17.

Sterne bogies the 16th and Lowry holes a trick par putt and it is back to level pegging.

High drama here and two holes to decide the winner.

16.20 Jittery times for Sterne

It was a four-shot lead for Richard Sterne after 11 holes. It is now down to just one with three holes to go.

A bogey at the 14th drops him to -18, with Shane Lowry on -17 following two birdies at the 12th and 13th that has got him back in the hunt.

Both men have parred the 15th and things are getting very tense and an exciting last 30 minutes is in the offing.

15.55 Still hope for Lowry

Having led for so much of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA it will be undeniably a disappointment for Shane Lowry if he does not win the title.

But he has given himself hope. Having fallen four behind after bogeying the 11th, he has hit back with birdies at the 12th and 13th and he is now two behind Richard Sterne on -17 with five holes to go.

Dutchman Joost Luiten has eagled the last to be the clubhouse leader on -15 as he now sits on his own in third spot. He will almost certainly not win but that is a great effort all the same.

__________

15.25 Sterne four ahead

Shane Lowry's challenge is beginning to capitulate. A fourth bogey of the round comes at the 11th hole and the Irishman is now four behind Richard Sterne with only seven holes remaining.

Sterne has parred his past two holes and is cruising along on -19 and looks like a champion elect as things stand.

His South African compatriot Louis Oosthuizen is up on his own in third on -14, but with only one hole to go for him he needs Sterne and Lowry to have a seriously drastic slump in form in the closing holes.

__________

14.55 Decisive moment for Sterne

The ninth hole of the final hole may well have been the moment that Richard Sterne clinched the 2019 Abu Dhabi title.

He birdied the hole to move up to -19 but Shane Lowry bogies it to fall to -16. A one-shot lead is suddenly up to three.

It has been a six-shot swing on the front nine as remember Lowry started the day leading by three shots.

The Irishman now has nine holes to turn it around but Sterne is five under for the day and in great form so it is looking like a big ask.

__________

14.40 Sterne retakes lead

A South African has never won the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA before but Richard Sterne is doing his best to change that.

He has just birdied the eighth to move one clear of Shane Lowry at the top on -18.

It still looks as if it will be private duel between this pair, but Louis Oosthuizen is now only five off Sterne, albeit with four holes to go off his round.

___________

14.20 Back on level terms

This is going to be a long afternoon for both Richard Sterne and Shane Lowry.

The pair are now locked on -17 at the top of the leaderboard.

Sterne had taken the lead for the first time in the event on the fifth hole, but he then dropped back level with Lowry at the next hole with a bogey.

Ian Poulter has moved to within four of the leaders in third on -13 with a birdie at the seventh, while Louis Oosthuizen is making a late charge as he up to -12 after 13 holes.

13.55 Richard Sterne leads

For the first time this week Richard Sterne is in the outright lead.

The South African has made a blistering start and a fourth birdie on the fifth hole takes him to -18.

That puts him ahead of Shane Lowry, who bogeyed the fifth hole to drop back to -17.

A lot of golf still to be played but the momentum is with Sterne.

___________

13.45 Birdies galore at the front

You cannot accuse Shane Lowry and Richard Sterne of not being up for this final day in Abu Dhabi.

They have both come out of the traps flying. Sterne birdied his first three holes to get up to -17, and briefly be level with Lowry, but a birdie on the fourth has put the overnight leader one ahead again.

Lowry had started himself with a birdie, but then bogeyed the third.

This is already looking like a private fight for victory at the front with third-place pair Ian Poulter and Soren Kjeldsen six shots off Lowry.

__________

13.30 Sterne puts Lowry under pressure

Richard Sterne has made a great start as birdies at the first two holes have moved him to two shots of leader Shane Lowry.

Lowry birdied the first himself, but he has still seen his playing partner gain ground on him despite now being on -18.

Soren Kjeldsen has also started well, picking up two shots in the first four holes.

The Dane is now on -12, level in third spot with Ian Poulter, who has dropped back to that score after bogeying the third hole.

Meanwhile, world No 3 Dustin Johnson has finished in style with his best score of the week at Abu Dhabi Golf Club,

The American hit 67 to finish on -9, which at present is part of a group of nine players sharing ninth spot.

Defending champion Tommy Fleetwood carded a 70 to finish on -5.

___________

13.00 Everyone is on the course

The final pairing of leader Shane Lowry and his nearest challenger Richard Sterne have teed off to start their final round.

Ian Poulter, who began the day in third spot, has started well with a birdie to move to -13 - four off Lowry's lead.

The man really on the move is Tom Lewis. The Englishman is six under after 12 holes to be -12 for the tournament.

While he only has six holes remaining, Lewis if he can finish well can put in a strong clubhouse total that could yet prove to be a factor if nerves hit the front runners later on.

__________

11.55 Walters on the move

South African Justin Walters has moved into the top 10 as a birdie on the eighth has moved him to -9 and a share of ninth place.

We are just under an hour away from leader Shane Lowry beginning his final round.

Best performer so far is Scott Hend. The Australian has completed his final round with a five under 67 and that leaves him on -7 in the standings in a tie for 25th.

Meanwhile, have a look at this fun video short from the European Tour in which Tommy Fleetwood and Henrik Stenson both show impressive acting skills.

__________

11.05 Overcast conditions unlikely to deter Lowry

It is a somewhat overcast morning in Abu Dhabi. Conditions may well have cleared up by the time leader Shane Lowry hits the course at 12.50pm, but even if they have not it is unlikely to deter him.

Friday's third round was hit by windy conditions and Lowry excelled in them as his 67 helped him stretch his lead at the top to three shots.

Lowry had said on Friday night: "I felt very comfortable out there and I'm happy with that. Obviously I'm in a great position. It's been a while since I've been up having a lead going into [the final day]. I'll enjoy it."

To catch up on a full report of Friday's third round, check out Paul Radley's report here.

10.10 Kaymer starts well

Martin Kaymer is the most successful player in the history of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA with three titles to his name.

A fourth one is not coming his way in 2019 but he has at least started his final round well.

He has birdied the second, third and fourth holes to be three under after four holes and -7 for the tournament.

That is still 10 shots off leader Shane Lowry but a strong finish could still get the German into the top 10.

____________

09.40 The tee times

Leader Shane Lowry is in the final group on the course, with nearest challenger Richard Sterne. They do not tee off until 12.50pm.

A full list of the playing schedule for Saturday's final day of action at Abu Dhabi Golf Club can be found below.

___________

Read more

Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA: Final round groups and tee times

___________

____________

09.20 The final day is under way

Good morning! The final day of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA is under way and we should know in around eight hours who will be going home with the Falcon Trophy.

Shane Lowry looks the man most likely to achieve that. The Irishman has been in front, or had a share of the lead, since Wednesday lunchtime and his five-under 67 has left him three clear on -17 ahead of his final round.

South African Richard Sterne is his nearest challenger on -14, with Ian Poulter on -12 and Pablo Larrazabal on -11 also in the mix.

The opening groups are already on the course and conditions look promising for some low scores.

Scott Hend (-4), Sam Horsfield (-4) and Zander Lombard (+2) are among the players who are two under in their rounds.

Stay with The National as the day unfolds for all the action and updates.

___________

Read more

Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA: Final round groups and tee times

Conditions prove to be a breeze for Shane Lowry as he extends lead in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA: Day 3 as it happened

Hole-by-hole guide to Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship presented by EGA

Players try to adjust to new rules at Abu Dhabi

___________

THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder

Transmission: Constant Variable (CVT)

Power: 141bhp 

Torque: 250Nm 

Price: Dh64,500

On sale: Now

Indika
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2011%20Bit%20Studios%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Odd%20Meter%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20PlayStation%205%2C%20PC%20and%20Xbox%20series%20X%2FS%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
German intelligence warnings
  • 2002: "Hezbollah supporters feared becoming a target of security services because of the effects of [9/11] ... discussions on Hezbollah policy moved from mosques into smaller circles in private homes." Supporters in Germany: 800
  • 2013: "Financial and logistical support from Germany for Hezbollah in Lebanon supports the armed struggle against Israel ... Hezbollah supporters in Germany hold back from actions that would gain publicity." Supporters in Germany: 950
  • 2023: "It must be reckoned with that Hezbollah will continue to plan terrorist actions outside the Middle East against Israel or Israeli interests." Supporters in Germany: 1,250 

Source: Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution

The Perfect Couple

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Jack Reynor

Creator: Jenna Lamia

Rating: 3/5

Cherry

Directed by: Joe and Anthony Russo

Starring: Tom Holland, Ciara Bravo

1/5

Company profile

Name: Back to Games and Boardgame Space

Started: Back to Games (2015); Boardgame Space (Mark Azzam became co-founder in 2017)

Founder: Back to Games (Mr Azzam); Boardgame Space (Mr Azzam and Feras Al Bastaki)

Based: Dubai and Abu Dhabi 

Industry: Back to Games (retail); Boardgame Space (wholesale and distribution) 

Funding: Back to Games: self-funded by Mr Azzam with Dh1.3 million; Mr Azzam invested Dh250,000 in Boardgame Space  

Growth: Back to Games: from 300 products in 2015 to 7,000 in 2019; Boardgame Space: from 34 games in 2017 to 3,500 in 2019

Usain Bolt's World Championships record

2007 Osaka

200m Silver

4x100m relay Silver

 

2009 Berlin

100m Gold

200m Gold

4x100m relay Gold

 

2011 Daegu

100m Disqualified in final for false start

200m Gold

4x100m relay Gold

 

2013 Moscow

100m Gold

200m Gold

4x100m relay Gold

 

2015 Beijing

100m Gold

200m Gold

4x100m relay Gold

 

MATCH INFO

Liverpool 2 (Van Dijk 18', 24')

Brighton 1 (Dunk 79')

Red card: Alisson (Liverpool)

How to apply for a drone permit
  • Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
  • Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
  • Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
  • Submit their request
What are the regulations?
  • Fly it within visual line of sight
  • Never over populated areas
  • Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
  • Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
  • Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
  • Should have a live feed of the drone flight
  • Drones must weigh 5 kg or less

A Bad Moms Christmas
Dir: John Lucas and Scott Moore
Starring: Mila Kunis, Kathryn Hahn, Kristen Bell, Susan Sarandon, Christine Baranski, Cheryl Hines
Two stars

The Penguin

Starring: Colin Farrell, Cristin Milioti, Rhenzy Feliz

Creator: Lauren LeFranc

Rating: 4/5

MATCH INFO

Manchester City 0

Wolves 2 (Traore 80', 90 4')

No_One Ever Really Dies

N*E*R*D

(I Am Other/Columbia)

ASSASSIN'S%20CREED%20MIRAGE
%3Cp%3E%0DDeveloper%3A%20Ubisoft%20Bordeaux%0D%3Cbr%3EPublisher%3A%20Ubisoft%0D%3Cbr%3EConsoles%3A%20PlayStation%204%26amp%3B5%2C%20PC%20and%20Xbox%20Series%20S%26amp%3BX%0D%3Cbr%3ERating%3A%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Company%20Profile
%3Cp%3ECompany%20name%3A%20EduPloyment%3Cbr%3EDate%20started%3A%20March%202020%3Cbr%3ECo-Founders%3A%20Mazen%20Omair%20and%20Rana%20Batterjee%3Cbr%3EBase%3A%20Dubai%2C%20UAE%3Cbr%3ESector%3A%20Recruitment%3Cbr%3ESize%3A%2030%20employees%3Cbr%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20Pre-Seed%3Cbr%3EInvestors%3A%20Angel%20investors%20(investment%20amount%20undisclosed)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
A cheaper choice

Vanuatu: $130,000

Why on earth pick Vanuatu? Easy. The South Pacific country has no income tax, wealth tax, capital gains or inheritance tax. And in 2015, when it was hit by Cyclone Pam, it signed an agreement with the EU that gave it some serious passport power.

Cost: A minimum investment of $130,000 for a family of up to four, plus $25,000 in fees.

Criteria: Applicants must have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The process take six to eight weeks, after which the investor must travel to Vanuatu or Hong Kong to take the oath of allegiance. Citizenship and passport are normally provided on the same day.

Benefits:  No tax, no restrictions on dual citizenship, no requirement to visit or reside to retain a passport. Visa-free access to 129 countries.

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
DEADPOOL & WOLVERINE

Starring: Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman, Emma Corrin

Director: Shawn Levy

Rating: 3/5

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

LILO & STITCH

Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Rating: 4.5/5

Heather, the Totality
Matthew Weiner,
Canongate 

THE APPRENTICE

Director: Ali Abbasi

Starring: Sebastian Stan, Maria Bakalova, Jeremy Strong

Rating: 3/5

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

Match info

Manchester United 0-0 Crystal Palace

Man of the match: Cheikhou Kouyate (Crystal Palace)

UAE%20set%20for%20Scotland%20series
%3Cp%3EThe%20UAE%20will%20host%20Scotland%20for%20a%20three-match%20T20I%20series%20at%20the%20Dubai%20International%20Stadium%20next%20month.%3Cbr%3EThe%20two%20sides%20will%20start%20their%20Cricket%20World%20Cup%20League%202%20campaigns%20with%20a%20tri-series%20also%20involving%20Canada%2C%20starting%20on%20January%2029.%3Cbr%3EThat%20series%20will%20be%20followed%20by%20a%20bilateral%20T20%20series%20on%20March%2011%2C%2013%20and%2014.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The more serious side of specialty coffee

While the taste of beans and freshness of roast is paramount to the specialty coffee scene, so is sustainability and workers’ rights.

The bulk of genuine specialty coffee companies aim to improve on these elements in every stage of production via direct relationships with farmers. For instance, Mokha 1450 on Al Wasl Road strives to work predominantly with women-owned and -operated coffee organisations, including female farmers in the Sabree mountains of Yemen.

Because, as the boutique’s owner, Garfield Kerr, points out: “women represent over 90 per cent of the coffee value chain, but are woefully underrepresented in less than 10 per cent of ownership and management throughout the global coffee industry.”

One of the UAE’s largest suppliers of green (meaning not-yet-roasted) beans, Raw Coffee, is a founding member of the Partnership of Gender Equity, which aims to empower female coffee farmers and harvesters.

Also, globally, many companies have found the perfect way to recycle old coffee grounds: they create the perfect fertile soil in which to grow mushrooms. 

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-finals, first leg
Liverpool v Roma

When: April 24, 10.45pm kick-off (UAE)
Where: Anfield, Liverpool
Live: BeIN Sports HD
Second leg: May 2, Stadio Olimpico, Rome

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key findings of Jenkins report
  • Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
  • Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
  • Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
  • Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Dubai Bling season three

Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed 

Rating: 1/5

Brief scores:

Toss: Sindhis, elected to field first

Kerala Knights 103-7 (10 ov)

Parnell 59 not out; Tambe 5-15

Sindhis 104-1 (7.4 ov)

Watson 50 not out, Devcich 49