Aaron Rai Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Playoff Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed exceptional composure to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, defeating his compatriot in a dramatic playoff after a rollercoaster final round of play.
Rai nailed a decisive birdie from around eight feet to seal the win, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a playoff win against Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Drama
Rai entered the last day with a single stroke advantage over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, five-under closing round that featured seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood edged one shot clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the 16th, but his rival pulled level again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final hole.
Playoff Decider
This led to a playoff at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner triumphed to claim the championship and $1.5m (£1.13 million) 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 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on your game and staying in the zone, it’s hard to put into words at the present how it is. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Performances
The Northern Irish star left himself a bit too far to make up, finishing one shot behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 10-under final round of ten-under. It was his best-ever round on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and one eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdie putts of his as well, but his chances of leading the leaderboard were hit by a bogey on the twelfth. England’s Mansell hit an superb final-round 63 to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.
