Aaron Rai Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Showdown Versus Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed remarkable nerve to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense playoff after a rollercoaster final round of play.
The Englishman sank a crucial birdie from around eight feet to clinch the victory, echoing his sole prior Rolex Series triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a playoff victory over Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Drama
Rai entered the final round with a single stroke lead over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, 67 final round that featured seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger moved a stroke clear with two holes remaining after a birdie on the sixteenth, but his rival tied it up again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the last green.
Playoff Decider
That set up a playoff at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to take the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even better individual. To compete alongside him the last two days was really special,” said the winner, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s hard to describe at the present how it feels. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Other Performances
Rory McIlroy left himself just too much to make up, coming up a stroke short in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 final round of 62. It was McIlroy’s best-ever score on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and an eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of topping the standings were dented by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Richard Mansell produced an excellent last round 63 to finish tied for fifth with Australian Hillier.
