Aaron Rai Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Playoff Showdown Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional nerve to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic play-off after a topsy-turvy last day of play.
The Englishman sank a decisive birdie from around eight feet to clinch the victory, echoing his sole prior Rolex Series success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a playoff victory against the same opponent.
Final Round Drama
Rai entered the last day with a single stroke lead over countryman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that included seven birdies and two bogeys.
The challenger moved one shot clear with two holes remaining after a birdie on the sixteenth, but his rival tied it up again on the 17th and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the last hole.
Play-Off Climax
This led to a playoff at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner prevailed to take the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even better person. To play with 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 staying in the zone, it’s hard to describe at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Contenders
Rory McIlroy found himself a bit too far to make up, coming up a stroke behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a spectacular 62 final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever score on the European Tour, including eight birdies and an eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdie putts of his as well, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were hit by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Mansell produced an excellent last round seven-under to finish tied for fifth with Australia’s Hillier.
