Aaron Rai Clinches the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Playoff Showdown Versus Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated remarkable nerve to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense playoff after a rollercoaster final round of play.
The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie putt from around eight feet to seal the victory, repeating his sole prior tournament triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a playoff victory over the same opponent.
Final Round Excitement
Rai entered the last day with a single stroke lead over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, 67 final round that featured seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood edged a stroke ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie putt on the 16th, but Rai tied it up again on the 17th and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final green.
Playoff Climax
That led to a play-off at the Yas Links course where Rai prevailed to take the championship and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even more person. To compete alongside him the last two days was truly memorable,” said Rai, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s hard to describe at the present how it feels. It is incredible to be stood here.”
Notable Contenders
Rory McIlroy left himself just too much to make up, coming up one shot behind in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the DP World Tour, including eight birdies and one eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his as well, but his hopes of topping the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Mansell produced an superb last round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.