The English golfer Clinches the Abu Dhabi Title in Thrilling Playoff Showdown Versus Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic play-off after a rollercoaster final round of competition.
The Englishman nailed a crucial birdie putt from just over eight foot to clinch the win, repeating his sole prior tournament triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a play-off win over Fleetwood.
Final Round Drama
The champion entered the last day with a single stroke lead over countryman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, 67 closing 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 tied it up again on the seventeenth and then missed a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final hole.
Playoff Decider
That led to a playoff at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner triumphed to take the title and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even better individual. To compete alongside him the last two days was really special,” stated Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to describe at the present how it is. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Other Performances
The Northern Irish star found himself a bit too far to make up, finishing a stroke behind in a tie for third with the Dane, after a spectacular 10-under closing round of ten-under. It was his best-ever score on the European Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and one eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdies of his as well, but his chances of leading the standings were hit by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Richard Mansell produced an superb final-round 63 to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Hillier.
