Aaron Rai Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Against Fellow Englishman 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 topsy-turvy final round of play.
The Englishman sank a crucial birdie from just over eight feet to clinch the win, echoing his sole prior tournament success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a play-off victory over Fleetwood.
Final Round Excitement
The champion started the final round with a single stroke lead over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, 67 final round that included seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger moved one shot clear with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but his rival tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final green.
Playoff Climax
That led to a playoff at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to claim the title and $1.5m (ÂŁ1.13 million) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even better individual. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was really special,” stated the winner, the current world No 30. “You’re so focused on your game and staying in the zone, it’s hard to describe at the present how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Other Performances
The Northern Irish star found himself a bit too far to do, coming up one shot short in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a stunning 62 final round of 62. It was his lowest-ever score on the DP World Tour, including eight birdie putts and an eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdies of his own, but his chances of topping the standings were dented by a dropped shot on the 12th. England’s Mansell produced an excellent last round 63 to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.
