Aaron Rai Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Play-Off Showdown Against Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional composure to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense playoff after a rollercoaster final round of play.
The Englishman sank a crucial birdie putt from around eight feet to seal the win, repeating his only previous Rolex Series success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off victory over the same opponent.
Final Round Drama
The champion entered the last day with a single stroke advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, 67 final round that included seven birdies and two bogeys.
The challenger edged one shot ahead with two holes to play after a birdie on the 16th, but Rai pulled level again on the 17th and then missed a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the last green.
Playoff Climax
That set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner triumphed to take the championship and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even better person. To play with him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said Rai, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s hard to put into words at the moment how it is. It is incredible to be stood here.”
Notable Performances
The Northern Irish star left himself a bit too far to do, coming up one shot short in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the European 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 dented by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Mansell hit an superb last round 63 to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.
