The English golfer Clinches the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Versus Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated remarkable composure to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off following a rollercoaster final round of play.
Rai nailed a crucial birdie from around eight feet to seal the win, repeating his only previous tournament success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off victory against the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Excitement
Rai started the final round with a single stroke advantage over countryman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that included seven birdies and two bogeys.
The challenger moved one shot clear with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie putt on the 16th, but his rival pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the last hole.
Play-Off Climax
This set up a play-off at Yas Links where Rai triumphed to claim the championship and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even better person. To compete alongside him the last two days was really special,” stated Rai, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on your game and staying in the zone, it’s hard to describe at the present how it feels. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Other Performances
The Northern Irish star found himself a bit too far to make up, finishing one shot behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a stunning 62 final round of ten-under. It was his lowest-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdies and an eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his own, but his hopes of topping the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Richard Mansell produced an excellent final-round seven-under to finish tied for fifth with Australia’s Hillier.
