Aaron Rai Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Playoff Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed remarkable nerve to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, beating his compatriot in a tense play-off after a topsy-turvy final round of competition.
Rai nailed a decisive birdie from around eight foot to clinch the victory, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a play-off victory over Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Excitement
Rai entered the last day with a one-shot lead over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, 67 final round that included seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood moved one shot ahead with two holes to play after a birdie on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level again on the seventeenth and then missed a 10-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the last green.
Play-Off Climax
This set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner triumphed to claim the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even more person. To play with him the final two rounds was really special,” stated Rai, the current world No 30. “You’re so focused on your game and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to describe at the present how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Notable Performances
The Northern Irish star found himself just too much to do, coming up one shot behind in a tie for third with the Dane, after a spectacular 10-under closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdies of his as well, but his hopes of topping the standings were hit by a bogey on the twelfth. England’s Mansell hit an excellent final-round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.
