The English golfer Wins the Abu Dhabi Title in Thrilling Play-Off Showdown Against Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated remarkable composure to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic play-off after a topsy-turvy last day of play.
The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie from just over eight feet to clinch the win, repeating his sole prior tournament success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a play-off victory against Fleetwood.
Final Round Drama
The champion started the final round with a single stroke advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, five-under final round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
Fleetwood moved one shot ahead with two holes to play after a birdie on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level again on the 17th and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final hole.
Playoff Climax
That set up a play-off at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to take the championship and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even better person. To play with him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said Rai, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “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.”
Other Contenders
The Northern Irish star left himself just too much to do, finishing a stroke behind in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever score on the DP World Tour, including eight birdies and an eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdie putts of his as well, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the twelfth. England’s Richard Mansell produced an excellent last round seven-under to end up tied for fifth with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.
