Aaron Rai Secures the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Playoff Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed remarkable composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, defeating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off after a rollercoaster last day of competition.
The Englishman sank a crucial birdie putt from around eight foot to clinch the win, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off win against the same opponent.
Final Round Excitement
The champion entered the final round with a single stroke lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, 67 final round that featured seven birdies and two bogeys.
Fleetwood edged one shot ahead with two holes to play after a birdie on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level again on the seventeenth and then missed a 10-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the final green.
Playoff Climax
That set up a play-off at Yas Links where Rai triumphed to claim the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even more 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 your game and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to put into words at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Other Performances
The Northern Irish star found himself a bit too far to make up, coming up one shot short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under final round of ten-under. It was his lowest-ever score on the European Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdies of his as well, but his hopes of leading the standings were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell produced an superb final-round seven-under to end up tied for fifth with Australia’s Hillier.
