The English golfer Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed exceptional nerve to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off after a topsy-turvy final round of play.
Rai nailed a crucial birdie putt from around eight feet to clinch the win, echoing his only previous tournament triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a play-off victory over Fleetwood.
Final Round Excitement
The champion entered the final round with a single stroke lead over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, 67 closing round that featured seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger edged a stroke ahead with two holes to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the final hole.
Play-Off Decider
This set up a playoff at Yas Links where the eventual winner prevailed to take the championship and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even better individual. To play with him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so focused on your game and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to put into words at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Notable Contenders
Rory McIlroy left himself just too much to make up, coming up one shot short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever score on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and one eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his as well, but his hopes of topping the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the twelfth. England’s Richard Mansell produced an excellent last round seven-under to end up tied for fifth with Australia’s Hillier.
