The English golfer Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Playoff Battle Against Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed remarkable nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off after a topsy-turvy last day of play.
The Englishman nailed a crucial birdie from just over eight feet to seal the win, repeating his only previous Rolex Series success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a play-off victory against the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Drama
The champion entered the final round with a one-shot advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, five-under final round that featured seven birdies and two bogeys.
The challenger edged a stroke clear with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the 17th and then missed a 10-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the last green.
Playoff Decider
That set up a play-off at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to take the title and $1.5m (ÂŁ1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even more person. To compete alongside him the last two days was really special,” stated Rai, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s hard to describe at the present how it feels. It is incredible to be stood here.”
Notable Performances
Rory McIlroy found himself a bit too far to do, coming up a stroke behind in a tie for third with the Dane, after a spectacular 62 final round of 62. It was his lowest-ever round on the European Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdie putts of his as well, but his hopes of leading the standings were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. English golfer Richard Mansell hit an superb final-round 63 to finish tied for fifth with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.