Rickie Fowler Wins Abu Dhabi Golf Championship as Rory McIlroy Finishes Tied Third
Rickie Fowler held off playing partner Thomas Pieters for a victory at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship that was tighter than expected, with the American having held a four-shot lead after six holes.
Rickie Fowler won the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship for his fourth worldwide victory in nine months, shooting a 3-under 69 in his final round Sunday to win by one stroke while world number three Rory McIlroy could only manage a joint-third finish. (Shiv Kapur Lies 8th at Abu Dhabi Golf)
Fowler held off playing partner Thomas Pieters (67) for a victory that was tighter than expected, with the American having held a four-shot lead after six holes. Fast-finishing Rory McIlroy (68) and Henrik Stenson (67) tied for third. (Rory McIlroy Targets Masters and Grand Slam in 2016)
Fowler's big lead was trimmed to one shot on No. 7 after a double-bogey, but he chipped in for eagle from 30 yards from a greenside bunker on No. 8 to move clear again.
Fowler holed from just off the 17th green for a birdie to take a two-shot cushion down the last, although Pieters nearly forced a playoff. The Belgian missed an eagle putt on No. 18 by an inch.