The English golfer Clinches the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Playoff Battle Against Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off following a topsy-turvy last day of play.
The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie putt from just over eight feet to seal the victory, repeating his only previous tournament success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off win over Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Drama
The champion entered the final round with a single stroke advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, 67 closing round that featured seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
The challenger edged a stroke ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai tied it up again on the 17th and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the last hole.
Playoff Decider
This led to a play-off at the Yas Links course where Rai triumphed to take the championship and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even more person. To play with him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said Rai, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on your game and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to put into words at the present how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Contenders
Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to make up, coming up one shot behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a spectacular 62 closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the DP World Tour, including eight birdie putts and an eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdie putts of his as well, but his hopes of leading the standings were hit by a bogey on the 12th. England’s Richard Mansell produced an superb last round seven-under to end up tied for fifth with Australian Hillier.
