Aaron Rai Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Playoff Showdown Versus Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional composure to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, beating his compatriot in a tense play-off after a topsy-turvy last day of competition.
Rai sank a decisive birdie from around eight foot to clinch the win, echoing his only previous tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a play-off win over the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Drama
The champion entered the final round with a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, 67 closing round that featured seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
Fleetwood edged a stroke clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the sixteenth, but his rival tied it up again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the last green.
Playoff Climax
That led to a playoff at Yas Links where the eventual winner triumphed to claim the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even better person. To play with him the final two rounds was really special,” stated Rai, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s hard to describe at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Other Performances
Rory McIlroy left himself just too much to do, finishing a stroke behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 10-under final round of ten-under. It was his lowest-ever round on the European Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and one eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdies of his as well, but his hopes of leading the standings were hit by a dropped shot on the 12th. England’s Mansell hit an superb final-round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.