Aaron Rai Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Playoff Battle Against Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed remarkable composure to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off after a rollercoaster final round of play.
The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie putt from around eight feet to clinch the win, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a playoff victory against the same opponent.
Final Round Excitement
The champion entered the last day with a single stroke lead over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, 67 closing round that featured seven birdies and two bogeys.
The challenger moved a stroke ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the 17th and then missed a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the last green.
Play-Off Decider
This led to a play-off at Yas Links where Rai triumphed to claim the championship and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even more person. To compete alongside him the last two days was really special,” said the winner, the current world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s hard to put into words at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Other Contenders
Rory McIlroy found himself a bit too far to do, coming up a stroke behind in a tie for third with the Dane, after a stunning 10-under closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever round on the European Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and an eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdie putts of his as well, but his hopes of topping the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell produced an excellent final-round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Hillier.
