Nolan claims maiden title in style at Abu Dhabi Challenge

Ireland’s Liam Nolan won his first HotelPlanner Tour title in fine style at the Abu Dhabi Challenge, holding his nerve to close out a four-stroke victory at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club.

The 26-year-old from Galway started the final round two clear.

He closed with a five-under-par 65 to finish on 21 under par, four ahead of Finland’s Tapio Pulkkanen, with Italy’s Matteo Cristoni a further shot back in third.

A crowd turned out to watch Nolan secure the title. They followed him up the 18th fairway and gathered round the final green as he completed the win.

“This feels absolutely mental,” said Nolan.

“Everything from what’s the worst that can happen to what’s the best that can happen is running through your head all the time.

“A four-shot lead, while it might look good, it’s nothing. It felt to me like it was nothing. The mind was racing a little bit, but I played really well today and a bit more conservative in places.

“I’ve had times where I’ve had four-shot leads and not won, so it’s nice to be able to learn from everything and win out here today.

“The par putt on 17 gave me the four-shot cushion coming down the last. If I’d missed that there would have been a little bit to do. When that went in, I felt like I could relax.”

Nolan was full of praise for Al Ain and the venue.

“It’s a beautiful city. I was here last year for the first time,” he said. “I love it in the UAE. It’s always a nice place to come to, and this course is amazing, with the horse racing track around it.

“It’s a really special course, so to win out here was a really cool experience.”

The victory lifts Nolan 31 places to 12th on the Road to Mallorca Rankings, inside the top 15 who will earn DP World Tour cards for 2027, with two events in China and the Grand Final in Mallorca still to come.

The Abu Dhabi Challenge brought together 144 players from 25 countries.

Pulkkanen closed with a 67 for second place, which lifts him seven places to sixth on the Road to Mallorca Rankings.

Cristoni’s closing 65 for third moves him 24 places to 27th, inside the top 45 who qualify for the Grand Final in Mallorca.

Belgium’s Matthis Besard, who shared the halfway lead, finished tied fourth on 15 under alongside France’s Bastien Amat.

Besard’s closing 65 included an eagle at the seventh. Both players secured their places in China: Besard climbed 20 places to 58th and Amat jumped 62 places to 62nd, inside the top 68 who progress.

Sweden’s Christofer Blomstrand, who leads the Road to Mallorca Rankings, closed with a 64 to finish sixth on 14 under.

The HotelPlanner Tour now heads to China for back-to-back events, starting with the Hainan Open from October 8-11.