Two out of two. Renato Paratore (-17) has claimed his second consecutive victory on the HotelPlanner Tour. The tour in the United Arab Emirates has been perfect for him. Last week he won the UAE Challenge and this Sunday he triumphed in the Abu Dhabi Challenge, a tournament held at the Al Ain Equestrian course. The Italian is galloping towards the DP World Tour. Life can change this quickly and positively in the second division of European golf. Paratore had only made three cuts in his first seven tournaments in 2025, with his best result being 22nd, and now he has won two in a row. The clicks exist, but you have to find them and make the most of them when they come.
Renato’s victory left Sebastián García Rodríguez (-16) tantalisingly close. The Madrid native was just one shot away from a playoff. There is little to fault himself for this Sunday. He delivered a very good card of 67 strokes without bogeys. He gave it his all, played solidly and orderly, and the only thing that happened was that one player was one stroke better than him. Nothing to object. He leaves Abu Dhabi with the immense satisfaction of having made only three bogeys in 72 holes. Probably the most ‘boring’ performance from the golfer from El Robledal in a long time. Sebas is clear that with this boring and solid golf, he will eventually return to the DP World Tour, the main goal this year.
For now, with this magnificent second place, tied with David Law, who shot the round of the day with 62 strokes, the Spanish player is among the top 20 in the Road to Mallorca, which means direct promotion spots to the European circuit. There’s a long way to go, but it’s very important to position oneself well as soon as possible. Much more important now with the European swing coming up, with two events in Spain in the next three tournaments.
Very good performance also from Albert Boneta (-14). The young golfer from Barcelona finished in fifth position with a final round of 65 strokes, with six birdies and a single bogey. He stepped on the accelerator when it mattered most, in the final holes, with three birdies between the 14th and 18th. Boneta is on the verge of the top 20 of the Road to Mallorca, close to Adri Arnaus, who had a poor end to the tournament this Sunday with his first over-par round in a long time. In any case, he should feel good about it. The problems came in the first nine holes, and in the second nine, he finished four under par. Great reaction.
A good week also for Borja Virto (-9) and Joseba Torres (-9). The Navarrese continues steadily, quietly waiting for that great result to propel him into the top 20. Meanwhile, Joseba wraps up his first two appearances on the HotelPlanner Tour with two consecutive top 25 finishes. Fantastic. Lastly, Eduard Rousaud (-5) bid farewell with a good round of 66 strokes, and Quim Vidal (-3) finished with 71.
With this second victory, Paratore is one win away from direct promotion to the DP World Tour, the same position as Daniel Van Tonder, winner of the first two tournaments of the season.
