Aaron Rai Secures the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Playoff Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed remarkable composure to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off following a rollercoaster final round of play.
The Englishman sank a decisive birdie from just over eight feet to seal the win, echoing his sole prior Rolex Series success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a playoff victory over the same opponent.
Final Round Drama
The champion entered the final round with a one-shot advantage over countryman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, five-under final round that featured seven birdies and two bogeys.
The challenger moved one shot ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the 16th, but Rai tied it up again on the 17th and then missed a ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final hole.
Play-Off Decider
That led to a playoff at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to claim the championship and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even more person. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” 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 describe at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Contenders
Rory McIlroy left himself just too much to make up, coming up one shot short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 final round of 62. It was McIlroy’s best-ever round on the DP World Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his own, but his chances of leading the leaderboard were hit by a dropped shot on the twelfth. English golfer Richard Mansell produced an superb final-round 63 to end up tied for fifth with Australian Hillier.
