The English golfer Wins the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Play-Off Showdown Against Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed remarkable nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic playoff following a topsy-turvy final round of play.
The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie from just over eight feet to seal the victory, echoing his sole prior Rolex Series triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a playoff win against Fleetwood.
Final Round Drama
Rai entered the final round with a one-shot advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under final round that featured seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood edged one shot clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but his rival tied it up again on the 17th and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the final green.
Play-Off Climax
That set up a play-off at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to claim the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even better individual. To compete alongside him the last two days was really special,” 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 moment how it is. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Other Performances
Rory McIlroy found himself a bit too far to make up, finishing one shot behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 closing round of 62. It was his best-ever score on the European Tour, including eight birdies and an eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdies of his as well, but his hopes of topping the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Richard Mansell produced an excellent last round seven-under to finish tied for fifth with Australian Daniel Hillier.
