Aaron Rai Clinches the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Versus Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed remarkable nerve to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off following a rollercoaster last day of play.
Rai sank a crucial birdie putt from around eight feet to clinch the win, repeating his only previous tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a playoff victory over the same opponent.
Final Round Drama
The champion entered the final round with a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, five-under final round that included seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger moved one shot ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the 16th, but his rival tied it up again on the seventeenth and then missed a 10-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the final green.
Play-Off Decider
This set up a playoff at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to take the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even more person. To play with him the final two rounds was really special,” stated Rai, the current world No 30. “You’re so focused on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to describe at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Performances
Rory McIlroy found himself just too much to make up, finishing a stroke behind in a tie for third with the Dane, after a stunning 10-under closing round of 62. It was McIlroy’s best-ever round on the DP World Tour, including eight birdie putts and an eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdie putts of his own, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were hit by a bogey on the twelfth. English golfer Richard Mansell produced an superb final-round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Hillier.
