Rickie Fowler fends off Rory McIlroy to win Abu Dh from seestyle's blog

Rickie Fowler used a chip-in birdie on the par-4 17th hole to help him stave off Rory McIlroy, and a host of other contenders Sunday, to win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship at 16-under par.What a difference a year makes. At the end of January last year, Fowler, 27, was met Sammy Watkins Jersey with heavy criticism for only having one win on the two major tours. But that's all changed. With this win, Fowler has now won five tournaments on either the PGA or European Tour, including four since May.MORE: This one didn't come easily. After waiting through endle s fog delays that cut both the second and third rounds short, Fowler came out Sunday morning to finish his third round and take a two-shot lead.His fourth round started shortly after, NFL Kansas City Chiefs Jersey and he continued his fine play by birdieing the first two holes. Fowler carded a nasty double-bogey on the par-3 seventh, but bounced right back with an eagle on the eighth.There were some nervy moments on the back nine, however. McIlroy made four birdies and an eagle on the inward nine to pre s Fowler. McIlroy ultimately finished in a tie for third at 14 under with Henrik Stenson.Finishing just one shot behind Fowler was Belgian-born Thomas Pieters. The 23-year-old is one of the best young talents on the Joe Montana Jersey European Tour after winning twice last season. Pieters shot a bogey-free 5-under 67 in the final round, but came up one shot short of a playoff when Fowler chipped in on 17.Fowler, who will likely move up to fourth in the world rankings when they come out on Monday, was ecstatic with the win."This was a big one," Fowler Anthony Hitchens Jersey said ."Last year having a multiple-win season, to come back and work on getting back in the winner's circle after a succe sful season and keep moving forward. This is a great start."It was a lot of fun today. It was a bit stre sful at times. Thomas is playing well. It's fun to kind of go head-to-head with him being in the same group. We had a good time. It's nice to come out on top this week."With all the excitement surrounding Fowler, Pieters and McIlroy, it's easy Darwin Thompson Jersey to forget that world No. 1 Jordan Spieth was also in the field. Spieth, who had struggled in Round 2, finished strong on Sunday, birdieing four of his last six holes to get into a tie for fifth at 11 under.