The English golfer Clinches the Abu Dhabi Title in Thrilling Play-Off Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed remarkable composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense playoff following a topsy-turvy last day of play.
The Englishman sank a crucial birdie putt from just over eight foot to clinch the victory, echoing his only previous tournament triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a playoff win over Fleetwood.
Final Round Excitement
Rai started the last day with a one-shot advantage over countryman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under final round that featured seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger moved a stroke ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the sixteenth, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then missed a 10-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the final hole.
Play-Off Climax
This led to a play-off at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to claim the title 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 present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Contenders
The Northern Irish star left himself a bit too far to do, coming up one shot behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under closing round of 62. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever score on the DP World Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdie putts of his as well, but his chances of leading the leaderboard were hit by a bogey on the 12th. England’s Richard Mansell hit an excellent last round 63 to end up tied for fifth with Australia’s Hillier.