Aaron Rai Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Playoff Showdown Versus Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional nerve to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off after a topsy-turvy final round of play.
The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie putt from around eight feet to seal the victory, echoing his sole prior Rolex Series success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a play-off victory against the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Excitement
The champion started the final round with a single stroke advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that included seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood edged a stroke clear with two holes to play after a birdie 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 final hole.
Play-Off Decider
That led to a playoff at Yas Links where the eventual winner prevailed to take the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even more individual. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” said the winner, the current 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 is. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Performances
Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to make up, finishing one shot short in a tie for third with the Dane, after a spectacular 62 closing round of 62. It was his best-ever score on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdies of his as well, but his hopes of leading the standings were hit by a dropped shot on the twelfth. English golfer Richard Mansell produced an superb last round 63 to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.
