The English golfer Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Playoff Showdown Versus Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed remarkable composure to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic play-off following a topsy-turvy last day of competition.
The Englishman sank a decisive birdie from around eight foot to clinch the victory, echoing his only previous tournament success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a playoff win against Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Excitement
The champion entered the final round with a single stroke lead over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of 263 after a up-and-down, 67 final round that featured seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger edged a stroke clear with two holes to play after a birdie putt on the 16th, but his rival tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the last hole.
Playoff Decider
This set up a playoff at Yas Links where Rai triumphed to claim the title and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even more person. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said Rai, the current world No 30. “You’re so focused on your game and maintaining focus, it’s hard to describe at the present how it feels. It is incredible to be stood here.”
Notable Contenders
Rory McIlroy left himself just too much to make up, coming up a stroke short in a shared third place with the Dane, after a spectacular 10-under closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever round on the European Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and one eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdie putts of his as well, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the 12th. England’s Richard Mansell produced an superb final-round seven-under to finish tied for fifth with Australia’s Hillier.
