The English golfer Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Play-Off Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional nerve to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, defeating his compatriot in a tense play-off after a rollercoaster last day of play.
Rai nailed a crucial birdie from just over eight feet to clinch the win, echoing his sole prior tournament success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a playoff victory over Fleetwood.
Final Round Excitement
The champion started the final round with a one-shot lead over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, 67 closing round that featured seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
Fleetwood moved a stroke clear with two holes remaining after a birdie putt on the 16th, but his rival pulled level again on the seventeenth and then missed a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the last hole.
Playoff Climax
This led to a play-off at Yas Links where Rai triumphed to take the title and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even better individual. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” said Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s hard to put into words at the moment how it feels. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Performances
Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to make up, finishing a stroke short in a tie for third with the Dane, after a spectacular 10-under final round of 62. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdies and an eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdies of his as well, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were hit by a dropped shot on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell hit an excellent last round 63 to end up tied for fifth with Australian Hillier.
