Aaron Rai Secures the Abu Dhabi Title in Thrilling Playoff Showdown Against Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed remarkable nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating his compatriot in a tense play-off following a topsy-turvy final round of competition.
The Englishman sank a decisive birdie putt from just over eight foot to clinch the victory, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a playoff win against Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Excitement
Rai started the last day with a one-shot lead over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, 67 closing round that included seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger edged a stroke ahead with two holes to play after a birdie putt on the 16th, but Rai pulled level again on the 17th and then missed a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the last hole.
Playoff Decider
This led to a playoff at the Yas Links course where Rai triumphed to take the title and $1.5m (ÂŁ1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even more individual. To play with him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said Rai, the current world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s hard to describe at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Other Performances
Rory McIlroy found himself a bit too far to make up, coming up one shot behind in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 final round of ten-under. It was his best-ever score on the European Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and an eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdie putts of his as well, but his hopes of leading the standings were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell hit an excellent final-round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Hillier.
