Aaron Rai Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Playoff Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated remarkable nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating his compatriot in a tense play-off after a topsy-turvy final round of play.
The Englishman sank a decisive birdie from just over eight feet to clinch the victory, echoing his only previous Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a playoff win against the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Excitement
The champion started the last day with a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, 67 final round that featured seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood moved one shot clear with two holes remaining after a birdie on the sixteenth, but his rival tied it up again on the 17th and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final green.
Play-Off Decider
This led to a playoff at the Yas Links course where Rai prevailed to take the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even better person. To play with him the last two days was really special,” stated the winner, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Other Performances
The Northern Irish star left himself a bit too far to do, coming up a stroke behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a stunning 10-under final round of ten-under. It was his lowest-ever round on the DP World Tour, including eight birdie putts and an eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdie putts of his as well, but his chances of leading the standings were dented by a bogey on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell produced an superb last round 63 to end up tied for fifth with Australian Hillier.
