Aaron Rai Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed exceptional nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic playoff after a rollercoaster final round of play.
The Englishman sank a crucial birdie from just over eight foot to seal the victory, echoing his sole prior tournament success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a play-off victory against the same opponent.
Final Round Drama
The champion started the last day 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 included seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
Fleetwood edged a stroke ahead with two holes to play after a birdie on the sixteenth, but Rai tied it up again on the 17th and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the last green.
Playoff Climax
This set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner triumphed to take the title and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even more person. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” stated Rai, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on your game and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to describe at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Other Performances
Rory McIlroy found himself just too much to do, finishing a stroke short in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the European Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and an eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdies of his as well, but his hopes of topping the standings were dented by a bogey on the 12th. England’s Richard Mansell produced an excellent last round 63 to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Hillier.
