The English golfer Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Playoff Battle Against Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed remarkable composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating his compatriot in a tense playoff following a rollercoaster last day of play.
The Englishman sank a crucial birdie from just over eight feet to clinch the win, echoing his only previous Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a playoff victory over the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Drama
The champion entered the final round with a single stroke advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, 67 closing round that included seven birdies and two bogeys.
Fleetwood edged one shot ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the final green.
Play-Off Climax
This set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where Rai triumphed to claim the title and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even more individual. To play with 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 hard to describe at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Notable Contenders
Rory McIlroy left himself just too much to do, coming up a stroke behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a stunning 62 closing round of ten-under. It was his best-ever score on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdies and an eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his as well, but his chances of leading the leaderboard were hit by a dropped shot on the 12th. England’s Richard Mansell hit an excellent final-round 63 to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Hillier.
