The English golfer Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional nerve to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off following a rollercoaster final round of competition.
Rai sank a crucial birdie putt from around eight foot to seal the victory, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a play-off victory against Fleetwood.
Final Round Drama
The champion entered the final round with a single stroke advantage over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, 67 final round that featured seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood moved a stroke clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the sixteenth, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the final green.
Playoff Climax
This led to a playoff at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to take the title and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even better individual. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” stated Rai, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s hard to put into words at the moment how it is. It is incredible to be stood here.”
Notable Contenders
The Northern Irish star found himself just too much to do, finishing a stroke behind in a tie for third with the Dane, after a stunning 10-under final round of ten-under. It was his best-ever score on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdies of his own, but his chances of leading the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Richard Mansell produced an excellent last round seven-under to finish tied for fifth with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.
