Aaron Rai Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Play-Off Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed remarkable composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic play-off after a rollercoaster final round of competition.
Rai sank a decisive birdie putt from around eight foot to clinch the victory, repeating his sole prior tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a playoff win against Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Drama
The champion entered the final round with a single stroke advantage over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, 67 closing round that included seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger moved one shot ahead with two holes to play after a birdie on the 16th, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the last green.
Play-Off Decider
That led to a playoff at Yas Links where Rai triumphed to take the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even more individual. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was really special,” stated Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s hard to describe at the present how it feels. It is incredible to be stood here.”
Other Contenders
The Northern Irish star found himself a bit too far to make up, finishing one shot behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 closing round of ten-under. It was his lowest-ever score on the European Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and one eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdie putts of his as well, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were hit by a bogey on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell produced an superb last round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australian Hillier.
