The English golfer Secures the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Playoff Battle Versus Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated remarkable composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense playoff after a topsy-turvy last day of play.
The Englishman sank a decisive birdie from just over eight foot to clinch the win, repeating his only previous tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a playoff win over the same opponent.
Final Round Excitement
Rai entered the last day with a one-shot advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, five-under final round that featured seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger moved a stroke ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the 16th, but his rival pulled level again on the 17th and then missed a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the last green.
Playoff Climax
This led to a playoff at the Yas Links course where Rai triumphed to claim the championship and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even better individual. To play with him the final two rounds was really special,” stated Rai, the current world No 30. “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 Performances
The Northern Irish star left himself just too much to do, coming up one shot short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under closing round of 62. It was his best-ever round on the DP World Tour, including eight birdies and one eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdies of his own, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were hit by a bogey on the 12th. England’s Mansell hit an superb final-round 63 to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.
