Ireland’s Liam Nolan wins first HotelPlanner Tour title at Abu Dhabi Challenge
In short
Ireland’s Liam Nolan won his first HotelPlanner Tour title at the Abu Dhabi Challenge, closing with a five-under-par 65 to finish 21 under par at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club. He finished four strokes ahead of Finland’s Tapio Pulkkanen, with Italy’s Matteo Cristoni third. The win lifts Nolan 31 places to 12th on the Road to Mallorca Rankings, inside the top 15 that will earn DP World Tour cards for 2027.
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Ireland’s Liam Nolan won his first HotelPlanner Tour title at the Abu Dhabi Challenge, holding his nerve to close out a four-stroke victory at Al Ain Equestrian, Shooting & Golf Club in the Al Ain Region, according to Aletihad’s report and WAM’s headline. [ 1 , 2 ]
The 26-year-old from Galway started the final round two clear and closed with a five-under-par 65 to finish on 21 under par. He finished four ahead of Finland’s Tapio Pulkkanen, with Italy’s Matteo Cristoni a further shot back in third, the report said. The tournament brought together 144 players from 25 countries. [ 2 ]
Nolan said: “It’s a beautiful city. I was here last year for the first time,” adding: “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.” He said it was “a really special course, so to win out here was a really cool experience.” [ 2 ]
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, according to the report. [ 2 ]
His Highness Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan played in the tournament’s pro-am as guest of honour. Freddie Schmeisser, Managing Director Tournament & Operations Middle East at the DP World Tour, said: “We are very delighted that we have finished the Abu Dhabi Challenge here in Al Ain. Thanks to the support of Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the Emirates Golf Federation, and of course also the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, and especially the team here in Al Ain, who have been very supportive.” [ 2 ]
The HotelPlanner Tour now heads to China for back-to-back events, starting with the Hainan Open from October 8-11. The report also notes that the Al Ain Region is Arab Tourism Capital for 2026. [ 2 ]
Why it matters
The win puts Nolan inside the top 15 on the Road to Mallorca Rankings as he seeks a DP World Tour card for 2027, with two events in China and the Grand Final in Mallorca still to come. The tournament brought 144 players from 25 countries to Al Ain, and the HotelPlanner Tour next heads to China for the Hainan Open.
Key facts
- Ireland’s Liam Nolan won the Abu Dhabi Challenge. [ 1 , 2 ]
- It was his first HotelPlanner Tour title. [ 2 ]
- He closed with a five-under-par 65 to finish on 21 under par. [ 2 ]
- He finished four strokes ahead of Finland’s Tapio Pulkkanen, with Italy’s Matteo Cristoni third. [ 2 ]
- The win lifts Nolan 31 places to 12th on the Road to Mallorca Rankings, inside the top 15 for 2027 DP World Tour cards. [ 2 ]
- The tournament brought together 144 players from 25 countries. [ 2 ]
- Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan played in the pro-am as guest of honour. [ 2 ]
- The HotelPlanner Tour next heads to China for the Hainan Open from October 8-11. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
Still unclear
- The documents do not state the prize money, the exact scores of players beyond the top three, or Nolan’s ranking points. These details are not given in either document.
- Many detailed results, quotes and ranking changes come from Document 2 alone. Document 1 provides only a headline and no article text, so those details rest on a single source.