The English golfer Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, defeating his compatriot in a tense play-off after a topsy-turvy last day of play.
The Englishman nailed a crucial birdie putt from just over eight feet to seal the victory, echoing his sole prior Rolex Series success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a playoff win against the same opponent.
Final Round Excitement
The champion entered the last day with a one-shot lead over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that included seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger edged a stroke ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the 16th, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the last green.
Playoff Climax
This led to a playoff at Yas Links where the eventual winner prevailed to claim the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even more person. To compete alongside him the last two days was really special,” stated the winner, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the present how it feels. It is incredible to be stood here.”
Other Contenders
Rory McIlroy left himself just too much to do, finishing a stroke behind in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 62 closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever score on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and an eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his own, but his hopes of leading the standings were hit by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Mansell hit an excellent final-round 63 to end up tied for fifth with Australian Hillier.
