Aaron Rai Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed exceptional composure to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic play-off following a topsy-turvy last day of competition.
The Englishman nailed a crucial birdie putt from around eight feet to seal the victory, echoing his sole prior Rolex Series success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off win over the same opponent.
Final Round Drama
The champion started the final round with a single stroke lead over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, 67 closing round that included seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood edged a stroke clear with two holes remaining after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the 17th and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the last green.
Play-Off Decider
That led to a playoff at Yas Links where Rai triumphed to take the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even more person. To play with him the final two rounds was really special,” stated Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so focused on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to describe at the moment how it feels. It is incredible to be stood here.”
Other Performances
Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to make up, finishing one shot behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a spectacular 62 closing round of 62. It was McIlroy’s best-ever round on the European Tour, comprising eight birdies 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. English golfer Mansell produced an superb final-round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.
