Aaron Rai Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Play-Off Showdown Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed exceptional composure to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic playoff after a topsy-turvy final round of competition.
Rai nailed a decisive birdie from around eight feet to seal the win, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a playoff victory over Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Drama
Rai entered the last day with a single stroke advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, five-under closing round that included seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood edged one shot clear with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie putt on the 16th, but Rai pulled level again on the 17th and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final hole.
Playoff Decider
This led to a play-off at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner triumphed to take the title and $1.5 million (ÂŁ1.13 million) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even more person. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said the winner, the present world No 30. “You’re so focused on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s hard to put into words at the present how it feels. It is incredible to be stood here.”
Other Contenders
The Northern Irish star left himself a bit too far to make up, coming up one shot short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever round on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdies and an eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdie putts of his as well, but his hopes of leading the standings were hit by a bogey on the 12th. England’s Mansell hit an excellent final-round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Hillier.
