Paratore's magic touch with the putter seals UAE Challenge victory in Ajman
Renato Paratore had one thing on his mind after sinking the final putt at Al Zorah Golf & Yacht Club to win the UAE Challenge on Sunday – gratitude for his trusty putter.
The two-time DP World Tour winner fired a sizzling final-round seven-under 65 to finish at 22 under par and seal a maiden HotelPlanner Tour title.
South African JC Ritchie finished solo second on 20 under par, three shots clear of American Dan Erickson in third.
'My putting has been brilliant this week,' said the Italian. 'Of course, the game has been good, but the putter played a really important role.'
Paratore entered the final round one shot back but quickly raced to the top of the leaderboard thanks to three birdies and an eagle on his first five holes. Two further birdies on the back nine saw him pull away for victory.
'The feeling is great, my last win was in 2020 so today was important for me,' he said. 'I just try to stay in the moment and stay in the hole every time I play because you can get distracted, but I stayed really focused all the days. I was five under but only leading by one shot after nine. JC played really well so congratulations to him, it was a good fight until the end.'
Sunday's win was Paratore's first since 2020 and a reminder of just how dangerous he can be when everything clicks.
Rise up rankings
Paratore, whose last win came at the Betfred British Masters five years ago, catapults to seventh in the Road to Mallorca Rankings. The Italian is looking to continue his impressive form at next week's Abu Dhabi Challenge at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club.
'I didn't start the season well so today is a good push forward and I can't wait to play next week,' he added.
Ritchie, who shared the 36-hole lead, piled the pressure on Paratore after making back-to-back birdies on the 14th and 15th. However, a double bogey on the par-three 17th ended the 31-year-old's hopes.
France's Oihan Guillamoundeguy finished the week tied for fourth on 16 under par alongside Dubai resident Adri Arnaus of Spain. Ireland's Mark Power, German Freddy Schott, and Portuguese Pedro Figueiredo were one shot further back on 14 under par.
Skaik's Historic Moment for UAE Golf
Meanwhile, the UAE's Ahmad Skaik won the award for lowest amateur, having made history as the first Emirati ever to make the cut in a European Tour group event.
'It was a week filled with ups and downs,' said Skaik, who was presented with his award by Sheikh Rashid Bin Humaid Al Nuaimi. 'I was four over through 12 on day one and then made four birdies on the last five holes to finish one over.
'Then on the second day, nothing was happening until the last three holes when I made birdie-birdie-eagle to make the cut. I was very happy obviously and everyone was proud.
'In the third round, I had many unlucky breaks. My driver broke after nine holes and I had to play the rest of the round and today with a different driver that I'm not used to,' he added.
'It was pretty tough - I just don't know where the ball is going to go with the driver and I seemed to hit it in every single bunker,' said Skaik. 'But I love challenges and putting myself in uncomfortable positions. I feel like today was one of them and I'll learn from it.'
Looking Ahead to Al Ain
The Abu Dhabi Challenge, the second event in the HotelPlanner Tour's UAE swing in partnership with the Emirates Golf Federation (EGF), tees off April 17 at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club.
Road to Mallorca Number Two Wilco Nienaber, Englishman Jamie Rutherford, Delhi Challenge winner Quim Vidal, and Paratore will all be in the field—alongside Skaik and a host of emerging talent from the UAE.
Fans are welcome to attend the event free of charge.
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