The English golfer Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Playoff Showdown Versus Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense playoff following a rollercoaster last day of competition.
Rai nailed a decisive birdie putt from around eight foot to clinch the victory, repeating his only previous tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a playoff victory against the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Excitement
Rai entered the last day with a single stroke lead over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, 67 final round that featured seven birdies and two bogeys.
The challenger edged one shot ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the 16th, but his rival tied it up again on the 17th and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the last green.
Play-Off Climax
That led to a playoff at Yas Links where the eventual winner prevailed to claim the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even more person. To compete alongside him the last two days was truly memorable,” said the winner, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and maintaining focus, it’s hard to describe at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Notable Contenders
Rory McIlroy found himself just too much to do, coming up a stroke short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a spectacular 10-under closing round of 62. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever score on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and an eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdies of his own, but his chances of leading the leaderboard were hit by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Richard Mansell hit an superb last round 63 to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australian Hillier.