Aaron Rai Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Against Tommy Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated exceptional nerve to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, beating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off following a topsy-turvy last day of competition.
Rai sank a crucial birdie putt from around eight foot to seal the win, echoing his only previous tournament triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a playoff victory against the same opponent.
Final Round Drama
Rai entered the last day with a single stroke advantage over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, 67 closing round that featured seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
The challenger moved a stroke ahead with two holes to play after a birdie on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then missed a 10-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the final hole.
Play-Off Climax
This set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner prevailed to take the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even better individual. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” stated the winner, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the moment how it feels. It is incredible to be stood here.”
Other Performances
The Northern Irish star left himself a bit too far to do, finishing a stroke behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 closing round of ten-under. It was his best-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdies and an eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of topping the standings were hit by a bogey on the twelfth. England’s Mansell produced an excellent final-round 63 to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Hillier.
