Aaron Rai Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Playoff Battle Against Tommy Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed remarkable nerve to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, beating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off following a topsy-turvy last day of play.
The Englishman sank a decisive birdie putt from just over eight feet to clinch the win, echoing his sole prior tournament success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off victory against Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Drama
Rai started the final round with a single stroke advantage over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
Fleetwood moved one shot ahead with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the 17th and then missed a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final hole.
Play-Off Climax
This led to a play-off at Yas Links where the eventual winner triumphed to take the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even better person. To play with him the final two rounds was really special,” stated Rai, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on your game and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to describe at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Other Performances
Rory McIlroy found himself a bit too far to make up, finishing one shot short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under closing round of ten-under. It was his best-ever score on the DP World Tour, including eight birdies and one eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdie putts of his own, but his chances of leading the standings were dented by a bogey on the 12th. English golfer Richard Mansell produced an superb final-round 63 to end up tied for fifth with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.
