Lowry seals Abu Dhabi glory with superb fightback

Shane Lowry fought back from three shots behind to card a birdie at the 72nd hole and win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship by one shot.

The 31-year-old, who kicked off the tournament with a sensational 62, began the day three strokes clear of Richard Sterne but saw his lead evaporate early in the round.

The Irishman went out in a one-over-par 37 while Sterne required just 31 shots to complete his first nine holes, and a three-shot deficit had become a three-stroke lead for the South African.

Lowry dropped another at the 11th but birdies at the 12th and 13th before a vital four at the par-five 18th saw him end on -18 to land the spoils.

Sterne dropped shots at 14 and 16 and needed to match his rival’s effort at the last although it was not to be and the man from County Offaly was able to pocket the riches on offer from the year’s first Rolex Series event.

Dutchman Joost Luiten claimed third after a 65 while Louis Oosthuizen’s 66 saw the South African take fourth spot on 14-under.

Soren Kjeldsen of Denmark ended up fifth on -13 while England’s Ian Poulter was one of three players tied for sixth on 12-under.

However, the day belonged to Lowry and the 2015 Bridgestone Invitational champion admitted his joy at the manner of his victory. “I completely thought I was gone,” he told Sky Sports.

“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.”