Aaron Rai Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off following a rollercoaster last day of play.
Rai sank a crucial birdie from around eight foot to seal the win, repeating his only previous tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a play-off win over Fleetwood.
Final Round Excitement
The champion started the final round with a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, 67 closing round that featured seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger moved a stroke ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the 17th and then missed a 10-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final green.
Playoff Climax
That led to a play-off at Yas Links where the eventual winner prevailed to claim the championship and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even better person. To play with him the final two rounds was really special,” stated the winner, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to describe at the moment how it feels. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Contenders
Rory McIlroy found himself just too much to make up, coming up one shot short in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under closing round of ten-under. It was his lowest-ever score on the European Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and one eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdie putts of his as well, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were hit by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Richard Mansell produced an superb last round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Hillier.
