Ireland’s Liam Nolan won the Abu Dhabi Challenge by four strokes on Saturday. It is his first HotelPlanner Tour title. The 26-year-old from Galway closed with a five-under-par 65 at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club and finished on 21 under par.
Finland’s Tapio Pulkkanen was second. Italy’s Matteo Cristoni finished a shot further back in third.
A fast start settles the final round
Nolan began the day two clear. After three pars, he birdied the driveable fourth. He then made three birdies in a row from the sixth, including a long putt at the eighth, and turned in 31.
Pulkkanen birdied the 12th to apply some pressure. However, Nolan answered straight away at the 13th. He dropped his only shot at the 16th and finished with a birdie at the par-five 18th.
“This feels absolutely mental,” said Nolan. “I’ve had times where I’ve had four-shot leads and not won, so it’s nice to learn from everything and win out here today.”
A win shared with friends and family
Nolan’s caddie, Sean, has been his friend for 12 years. “This is as much his victory as it is mine,” Nolan said. “It’s our win.” Members of his family were also in Al Ain to celebrate with him.
Nolan moves into the card places
The win lifts Nolan 31 places to 12th on the Road to Mallorca Rankings. The top 15 will earn DP World Tour cards for 2027. Two events in China and the Grand Final in Mallorca remain.
Pulkkanen moves up to sixth in the Rankings. Cristoni climbs to 27th, inside the top 45 who reach the Grand Final. Belgium’s Matthis Besard and France’s Bastien Amat tied for fourth on 15 under. Rankings leader Christofer Blomstrand of Sweden closed with a 64 to finish sixth.
What’s next after the Abu Dhabi Challenge?
The HotelPlanner Tour now travels to China for back-to-back events. The first is the Hainan Open, from October 8 to 11.
