The English golfer Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Play-Off Battle Versus Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed remarkable composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense playoff following a rollercoaster final round of play.
The Englishman sank a decisive birdie from just over eight foot to clinch the win, echoing his sole prior Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a play-off victory over Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Drama
The champion entered the final round with a one-shot advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, 67 closing round that included seven birdies and two bogeys.
Fleetwood moved a stroke ahead with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai tied it up again on the 17th and then missed a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the final green.
Play-Off Decider
This set up a play-off at Yas Links where the eventual winner triumphed to take the title and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even better individual. To play with him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” stated the winner, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s hard to put into words at the moment how it feels. It is incredible to be stood here.”
Other Performances
The Northern Irish star found himself a bit too far to do, coming up a stroke short in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 10-under closing round of 62. It was his lowest-ever score on the European Tour, including eight birdie putts and an eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of topping the standings were hit by a bogey on the 12th. England’s Mansell hit an superb last round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.
