Paratore triumphs at UAE Challenge, Skaik scoops lowest amateur award

Renato Paratore carded a final round seven under par 65 to win the UAE Challenge, the first of back-to-back HotelPlanner Tour events in the UAE.

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The Italian entered the final round at Al Zorah Golf and Yacht Club 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 two-time DP World Tour winner Paratore pull away from the chasing pack to finish at 29 under par and seal a maiden HotelPlanner Tour title.

“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.

“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.