The English golfer Secures the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Versus Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed remarkable nerve to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating his compatriot in a tense playoff after a rollercoaster last day of play.
Rai nailed a decisive birdie putt from around eight foot to seal the win, repeating his sole prior tournament success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a play-off victory against Fleetwood.
Final Round Drama
The champion entered the last day with a one-shot advantage over countryman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, 67 final round that featured seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood moved a stroke clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level again on the 17th and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final hole.
Play-Off Climax
This set up a play-off at Yas Links where Rai triumphed to take the title and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even better individual. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” stated Rai, the current world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to describe at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Other Contenders
Rory McIlroy left himself just too much to make up, finishing one shot short in a shared third place with the Dane, after a stunning 10-under final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever score on the European Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and an eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdie putts of his as well, but his chances of leading the standings were dented by a dropped shot on the 12th. England’s Mansell hit an excellent final-round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australian Hillier.
