Aaron Rai Secures the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Playoff Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed remarkable composure to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off after a rollercoaster final round of competition.
Rai nailed a crucial birdie from around eight foot to clinch the win, repeating his sole prior tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a playoff win against Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Drama
The champion started the final round with a one-shot advantage over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of 263 after a up-and-down, 67 final round that included seven birdies and two bogeys.
Fleetwood edged one shot ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the 16th, but his rival tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the last hole.
Playoff Climax
This set up a playoff at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner triumphed to take the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even more individual. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said Rai, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the present how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Contenders
Rory McIlroy found himself a bit too far to do, finishing a stroke behind in a tie for third with the Dane, after a spectacular 62 closing round of 62. It was his best-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdies of his as well, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were hit by a dropped shot on the 12th. England’s Mansell produced an excellent final-round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.
