Aaron Rai Wins the Abu Dhabi Title in Thrilling Play-Off Showdown Versus Tommy Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed exceptional composure to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, defeating his compatriot in a dramatic playoff after a rollercoaster final round of competition.
The Englishman sank a crucial birdie from just over eight feet to clinch the victory, repeating his only previous Rolex Series triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off victory against the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Drama
The champion started the last day with a single stroke advantage over countryman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, 67 final round that featured seven birdies and two bogeys.
The challenger edged one shot clear with two holes remaining after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai tied it up again on the 17th and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final hole.
Playoff Climax
That led to a playoff at Yas Links where Rai triumphed to take the championship and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even better person. To play with him the final two rounds was really special,” said Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so focused on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s hard to describe at the present how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Other Contenders
The Northern Irish star found himself a bit too far to make up, coming up a stroke short in a shared third place with the Dane, after a spectacular 10-under final round of ten-under. It was his best-ever round on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdies and an eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of topping the leaderboard were hit by a bogey on the twelfth. English golfer Richard Mansell hit an excellent final-round 63 to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Hillier.
