Abu Dhabi: Unheralded Belgian Thomas Pieters was a little bit disappointed to finish runner-up to Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship winner Rickie Fowler on Sunday despite a marvellous final round of five-under-par 67.
This propelled Pieters to 15-under, one shot shy of Fowler, who closed with 69 at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
Pieters who had earlier set himself up for a shot at glory with a fabulous eight-under-par 64 in the third round, commented: “Yeah, I hit it really well. I drove it a little bit better this weekend, so am going to give myself plenty of chances and could have dropped a couple more putts, but that’s how it goes.
“I’m a little bit disappointed. I played pretty good today. Doesn’t get much better: Perfect weather, good company. I’m just looking forward to next week now.
“I did a lot of work on Friday night with my coach, Pete Cowen, just trying to find some more fairways, because I wasn’t really finding any fairways. Just finding fairways and working on the swing a little bit and gave myself more chances on the fairway. I’ll take away good memories, a good vibe, good weather, it’s all good.”
Pieters warmed up for the tournament by practising in Dubai and hopes to build on the momentum gained in the UAE for the rest of the year.
“I like to play majors and all that stuff, but that just comes whenever. I’m not in a rush. If I keep playing like this, then hopefully I’ll be able to play in some.
“I didn’t do much wrong today. Maybe [I should] stay a little bit calmer, but I think I did. Next time maybe some more putts drop, that’s it.”
Meanwhile, Germany’s Marcel Siem expressed delight after finishing tied for fifth with five others, including the world number one Jordan Spieth on 11 under. “I’m very, very pleased,” he said, after closing with a five-under-par 67.
