Aaron Rai Clinches the Abu Dhabi Title in Thrilling Playoff Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated remarkable nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic play-off after a topsy-turvy last day of play.
Rai sank a decisive birdie from around eight foot to clinch the victory, repeating his only previous tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a playoff win against Fleetwood.
Final Round Excitement
The champion entered the last day with a single stroke lead over countryman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, five-under closing round that included seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger moved a stroke clear with two holes remaining after a birdie putt on the 16th, but Rai pulled level again on the 17th and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the last hole.
Playoff Decider
This led to a playoff at Yas Links where the eventual winner triumphed to claim the championship and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even better individual. To play with him the final two rounds was really special,” said the winner, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Performances
The Northern Irish star left himself just too much to make up, finishing one shot short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever score on the European Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his own, but his hopes of leading the standings were dented by a bogey on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell produced an excellent last round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.
