Aaron Rai Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Versus Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed remarkable composure to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, defeating his compatriot in a tense play-off following a topsy-turvy final round of play.
Rai nailed a crucial birdie from just over eight foot to clinch the victory, repeating his sole prior tournament success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a play-off victory against Fleetwood.
Final Round Drama
Rai started the last day with a one-shot advantage over countryman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that included seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood edged one shot clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the last hole.
Playoff Decider
That led to a play-off at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to take the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even more individual. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was really special,” said Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to put into words at the present how it is. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Notable 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 spectacular 62 final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of topping the leaderboard were hit by a bogey on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell hit an excellent final-round 63 to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Hillier.
