Latest news with #Paratore
Khaleej Times
20-04-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
'I still can't believe that', says Paratore after sealing back-to-back HotelPlanner Tour wins
'I still can't believe it!' said an elated Renato Paratore after clinching his second consecutive HotelPlanner Tour title in the UAE, capping off a sensational fortnight with a four-under-par 66 to win the Abu Dhabi Challenge in Al Ain. The Italian, who lifted the UAE Challenge trophy just a week earlier, once again showed nerves of steel with birdies on two of his last four holes—finishing at 17 under par and edging out Scotsman David Law and Spain's Sebastian Garcia by a single stroke. Law had set a fierce clubhouse target with a blistering nine-under 61, but Paratore held firm under pressure. Entering the final round one shot off the lead, Paratore picked up shots on the fifth and seventh holes to gain early momentum. Despite a couple of back-nine bogeys, the 28-year-old bounced back with clutch birdies—including a decisive one at the par-five 18th after reaching the green in two. 'I felt confident coming into today because I won last week,' Paratore said. 'But I knew it was going to be tough with so many in contention. I'm really proud of how I handled it.' Garcia and Law shared second place at 16 under, while American Davis Bryant finished third at 15 under. A quartet of players, including Frenchman Robin Siegrist and Italy's Stefano Mazzoli, tied for fifth at 14 under. Paratore's double triumph rockets him to second in the Road to Mallorca Rankings, further fueled by support from the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, Arena, Al Laith, and eGolf Megastore.
Al Etihad
13-04-2025
- Sport
- Al Etihad
Paratore takes UAE Challenge title while Skaik settles for best amateur
13 Apr 2025 23:41 KUUMAR SHYAM (ABU DHABI)Renato Paratore carded a seven-under par score on the final day to win the UAE Challenge at the par-72 Al Zorah Golf and Yacht Club in Ajman, where history was made this week with Ahmad Skaik became the first Emirati to make the cut in a European Tour salvaged his tournament from an unfortunate third day's play to finish three over and still take the award for the best amateur at the tournament, the first of two back-to-back HotelPlanner events. He had to play with a cracked driver during the course of the third Italian Paratore, on the other hand, started on Sunday one shot off the overnight leader and hit a purple patch of three birdies and an eagle on the first five holes. Two further birdies on the back nine saw two-time DP World Tour winner Paratore pull away from the chasing pack to finish at 22-under par and seal a maiden title on what was earlier known as the Challenge Tour."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. My putting has been brilliant this week. Of course, the game has been good, but the putter played a really important role." Paratore, whose last win came at the Betfred British Masters five years ago, catapults to seventh in the Road to Mallorca Rankings and the Italian is looking to continue his impressive form at next week's Abu Dhabi Challenge at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting and 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," the Italian added, while praising the push by his closest rival JC Ritchie. The consistent South African, 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 finished second on 20-under par, three shots clear of Erickson in third. "I was five under but only leading by one shot after nine," Paratore said. "JC played really well so congratulations to him, it was a good fight until the end."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. Meanwhile, Skaik was left reminiscing on what the week could have been as he collected the award for the lowest-ranked amateur from Sheikh Rashid bin Humaid Al 27-year-old Skaik had put together a stunning finish to his second round on Friday, going birdie-birdie-eagle over the round's final three holes at Al Zorah's course to post a five-under 67, securing his passage to the record books and the third round. He then suffered the misfortune of a cracked driver on Day 3 which affected his scoring on the back nine and Sunday was another tough day as he struggled with his replacement club, which he said "was not used to" while carding a 75 to end the tournament at three over par.
Khaleej Times
13-04-2025
- Sport
- Khaleej Times
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.
