The English golfer Secures the Abu Dhabi Title in Thrilling Play-Off Showdown Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed exceptional nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic playoff after a topsy-turvy last day of play.
Rai sank a decisive birdie from just over eight feet to seal the victory, echoing his sole prior tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a play-off victory over the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Excitement
Rai entered the final round with a single stroke lead over countryman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, five-under final round that included seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood edged one shot clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the sixteenth, but his rival tied it up again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the final hole.
Play-Off Decider
That set up a play-off at Yas Links where the eventual winner prevailed to take the title and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even more individual. To compete alongside him the last two days was truly memorable,” said the winner, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to describe at the present how it is. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Other Contenders
Rory McIlroy found himself a bit too far to make up, finishing a stroke short in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever score on the DP World Tour, including eight birdies and one eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of topping the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the twelfth. England’s Richard Mansell hit an superb last round 63 to finish tied for fifth with Australia’s Hillier.
