Aaron Rai Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed remarkable nerve to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, beating his compatriot in a tense play-off following a topsy-turvy last day of competition.
Rai nailed a crucial birdie from just over eight foot to seal the win, echoing his sole prior Rolex Series success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a play-off victory against the same opponent.
Final Round Excitement
The champion entered the last day with a one-shot advantage over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, five-under final round that featured seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood edged one shot ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level again on the 17th and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the final hole.
Play-Off Decider
This led to a playoff at the Yas Links course where Rai triumphed to claim the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even better person. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” stated Rai, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s hard to put into words at the present how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Other Performances
The Northern Irish star left himself a bit too far to make up, coming up one shot short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a spectacular 10-under closing round of 62. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and one eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were hit by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Mansell hit an superb last round seven-under to end up tied for fifth with Australian Daniel Hillier.
