Aaron Rai Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Playoff Showdown Against Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed exceptional nerve to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, beating his compatriot in a tense play-off after a topsy-turvy last day of competition.
Rai sank a crucial birdie from around eight foot to clinch the victory, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a playoff victory over the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Drama
Rai started the final round with a single stroke advantage over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, 67 closing round that featured seven birdies and two bogeys.
Fleetwood edged a stroke clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the sixteenth, but his rival tied it up again on the 17th and then missed a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the last green.
Playoff Climax
This set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner triumphed to claim the championship and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even better individual. To compete alongside him the last two days was truly memorable,” said Rai, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s hard to put into words at the present how it feels. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Other Contenders
Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to make up, coming up a stroke behind in a tie for third with the Dane, after a stunning 10-under final round of 62. It was his lowest-ever round on the DP World Tour, including eight birdies and one eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdies of his as well, but his chances of topping the standings were hit by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Mansell produced an excellent final-round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Hillier.
