The English golfer Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Play-Off Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated remarkable nerve to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense playoff following a rollercoaster final round of play.
Rai sank a decisive birdie from around eight foot to clinch the victory, repeating his sole prior tournament triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a playoff victory against Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Excitement
The champion started the last day with a single stroke lead over countryman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that featured seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood edged one shot clear with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the last hole.
Play-Off Climax
That set up a playoff at Yas Links where the eventual winner triumphed to take the title and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even more individual. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was really special,” stated Rai, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s hard to describe at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Other Contenders
The Northern Irish star found himself just too much to do, finishing a stroke short in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under closing round of 62. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and one eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of topping the standings were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell hit an superb final-round seven-under to end up tied for fifth with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.