Aaron Rai Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Playoff Showdown Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed exceptional nerve to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic playoff following a rollercoaster last day of play.
The Englishman sank a crucial birdie putt from just over eight feet to seal the victory, repeating his only previous tournament success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off victory over the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Drama
The champion started the last day with a single stroke lead over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, 67 closing round that included seven birdies and two bogeys.
The challenger moved one shot ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then missed a 10-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the last green.
Playoff Decider
This set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner triumphed to claim the title and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even better person. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said the winner, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on your game and maintaining focus, it’s hard to describe at the moment how it is. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Contenders
The Northern Irish star found himself just too much to make up, finishing a stroke short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under final round of ten-under. It was his lowest-ever round on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdies and an eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his own, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the 12th. England’s Richard Mansell hit an excellent final-round seven-under to end up tied for fifth with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.
