Aaron Rai Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Playoff Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional composure to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off after a topsy-turvy last day of competition.
The Englishman nailed a crucial birdie from just over eight foot to clinch the win, repeating his only previous Rolex Series success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a play-off victory over the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Excitement
The champion entered the final round with a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai 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 edged a stroke 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 missed a ten-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the final green.
Play-Off Climax
This set up a play-off at Yas Links where Rai triumphed to claim the title and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even more individual. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was really special,” stated the winner, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to describe at the present how it is. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Contenders
Rory McIlroy found himself a bit too far to make up, coming up a stroke behind in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 62 final round of 62. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdie putts and an eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdie putts of his own, but his chances of leading the leaderboard were hit by a dropped shot on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell produced an superb final-round 63 to end up tied for fifth with Australian Hillier.
