What a start to the new season for Padraig as he proves he can still compete on the main tours with a 4th place finish at the HSBC Abu Dhabi Championship. He closed with a very impressive round of 67 and finished only two shots behind the winner, Victor Perez. He got off to a slow start with a dropped shot at the first where he found a fairway bunker and turned in one under par. But four birdies in five holes starting the back nine got him right back into contention and proves his game is in a very good place. The Rolex series event paid a massive 415K euros and invaluable world ranking points. Plenty to build on and look forward to in 2023!
Superb round of eight under par 64 sees Padraig in contenetion going into the final round of the Abu Dhabi HSBS Championship. Out in two under par, he went on a tear on the back nine, as he covered six holes form the 11th in six under par. It was one shot off the course record and he will relish Sunday if he can get into contention!
Padraig started his second round in the worst possible way with a double bogey on his first hole when he flew the green and found a tough spot. He fought back immmediately with two birdies to be out in level par but further dropped shots on the 3rd and 6th holes had him close to the cut line. He responded in great style with two booming shots onto the par five 7th and a facile birdie to see him make the weekend by two shots. His three under par total trails the leaders by seven shots.
Padraig opens his 2023 account with a very promising round of four under par 68. Starting on the back nine, he opened with a birdie three but then reeled off eight pars to be out in one under par. He picked up a couple of shots early on the front nine before a magnificent second shot to the par five 7th hole left him with a tap in for eagle. He dropped his only shot of the day at the par three 8th hole where he three putted from 20 feet but overall it was a nice start to the season. He lies in joint 12th place just four shots off the lead. He has an early tee time Friday and will hope to build on that good start!
Padraig gets his 2023 season under way at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, a Rolex event on the DP World Tour. In other news, he was announced as the 2022 Rookie of the Year on the PGA Champions Tour!
Tee Times –
1st Round: 12.05pm with Jordan Smith and Rafa Cabrera Bello
2nd Round: 7.50am