Aaron Rai Clinches the Abu Dhabi Title in Thrilling Playoff Battle Against Tommy Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed exceptional composure to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating his compatriot in a tense playoff following a topsy-turvy last day of competition.
Rai sank a crucial birdie from around eight feet to clinch the win, echoing his sole prior Rolex Series success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a play-off victory over Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Excitement
Rai entered the last day with a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, 67 closing round that featured seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood moved a stroke clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the 16th, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the last green.
Playoff Decider
This set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner prevailed to take the championship and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even more person. To play with him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and maintaining focus, it’s hard to describe at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Performances
The Northern Irish star left himself a bit too far to do, finishing one shot short in a shared third place with the Dane, after a stunning 10-under closing round of 62. It was his best-ever score on the European Tour, including eight birdie putts and an eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of topping the standings were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Mansell hit an excellent final-round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Hillier.
