The English golfer Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Playoff Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic playoff after a rollercoaster final round of competition.
The Englishman sank a decisive birdie putt from just over eight foot to clinch the win, repeating his only previous Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a play-off win against the same opponent.
Final Round Excitement
The champion entered the final round with a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, 67 closing round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
Fleetwood moved a stroke clear with two holes remaining after a birdie on the 16th, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final green.
Playoff Decider
That set up a play-off at Yas Links where Rai triumphed to take the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even more individual. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” said Rai, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on your game and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to describe at the present how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Other Performances
Rory McIlroy found himself just too much to make up, coming up a stroke short in a tie for third with the Dane, after a stunning 62 closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever score on the European Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdie putts of his as well, but his hopes of topping the standings were dented by a bogey on the twelfth. England’s Richard Mansell produced an excellent last round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.
