The English golfer Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Playoff Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated remarkable nerve to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off following a topsy-turvy final round of play.
Rai sank a decisive birdie putt from just over eight foot to seal the victory, repeating his sole prior tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a playoff victory against Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Drama
Rai started the final round with a single stroke advantage over countryman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that included seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger moved one shot clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the sixteenth, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final hole.
Play-Off Climax
This set up a playoff at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to take the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even better individual. To play with him the final two rounds was really special,” said Rai, the current world No 30. “You’re so focused on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s hard to describe at the present how it feels. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Other Contenders
Rory McIlroy found himself a bit too far to make up, coming up one shot behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a stunning 62 closing round of 62. It was his lowest-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdie putts of his own, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the 12th. England’s Mansell hit an superb final-round seven-under to end up tied for fifth with Australian Daniel Hillier.
