Aaron Rai Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Showdown Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed remarkable composure to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, beating his compatriot in a dramatic playoff following a rollercoaster last day of competition.
The Englishman sank a decisive birdie from just over eight feet to clinch the victory, echoing his sole prior tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a playoff win against the same opponent.
Final Round Drama
The champion entered the last day with a one-shot advantage over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, five-under final round that featured seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
Fleetwood moved one shot ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the last hole.
Playoff Decider
That set up a playoff at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to take the title and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even more person. To compete alongside him the last two days was really special,” stated the winner, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to describe at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Notable Performances
Rory McIlroy left himself just too much to do, finishing a stroke short in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a stunning 62 closing round of 62. It was his lowest-ever round on the European Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdie putts of his as well, but his chances of leading the standings were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Richard Mansell produced an superb final-round seven-under to finish tied for fifth with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.
