January 22, 2017: SSP Chawrasia was fighting for his dignity against the difficult course at the Abu Dhabi Golf Club. A third round 77 dropped him to the bottom, but the resilient man from Kolkata shot one under 71 on Sunday to end the tournament on a positive note. Tommy Fleetwood showed great composure to eke out a one shot victory over Pablo Larrazabal and Dustin Johnson.
The Englishman held his nerves over the final stretch to produce a stellar 31 stroke run to seal victory. The conditions on Sunday were brutal – gusting winds made scoring nearly impossible. Under the context, an even 36 helped Fleetwood keep his hopes alive, before he pulled away a fabulous back nine.
Fleetwood celebrated his 26th birthday at the start of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. So his first victory in more than three years comes as a welcome after party gift to the English golfer.
Dustin Johnson had an impressive week
Dustin Johnson sparked his chances to life with a 64 in the third round. The US Open winner produced a disciplined 68 in the final round to settle for a tied second at 16-under 272.
The 2014 winner, Pablo Larrazabal also shot 68 to rub shoulders with Johnson at the end of the week. Johnson is ranked No.3 in the world, while Fleetwood is 102nd and Larrazabal is at 159th.
Chawrasia showed character in Abu Dhabi
Chawrasia made three birdies and two bogeys on his way out, for a nine-hole total of 35. The resilient Indian golfer returned home in even, negating two birdies with a double bogey at the 12th hole.
Johnson finished with an eagle at the final hole to leave the tournament on a high. Larrazabal also had an equally impressive finish, ending the week with a pair of birdies.
Kiradech Aphibarnrat, Martin Kaymer and Bernd Wiesberger finished in a tie for fourth place. Lee Westwood and Henrik Stenson brought up the rear end of the top 10.
