Aaron Rai Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Play-Off Showdown Versus Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed remarkable nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off following a topsy-turvy last day of play.
The Englishman sank a decisive birdie putt from around eight foot to clinch the win, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a play-off victory over Fleetwood.
Final Round Drama
The champion entered the final round with a single stroke lead over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under final round that featured seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger edged one shot ahead with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie on the 16th, but his rival tied it up again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final hole.
Playoff Decider
This set up a play-off at Yas Links where the eventual winner prevailed to take the title and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even better individual. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” said the winner, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on your game and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to put into words at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Other Performances
The Northern Irish star left himself a bit too far to do, coming up one shot behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under closing round of 62. It was his lowest-ever round on the European Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his own, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were hit by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Mansell hit an excellent last round 63 to end up tied for fifth with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.
