The English golfer Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Playoff Showdown Versus Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed remarkable nerve to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, beating his compatriot in a tense play-off after a topsy-turvy final round of competition.
Rai nailed a decisive birdie from just over eight feet to seal the victory, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a playoff win against the same opponent.
Final Round Excitement
Rai started the final round with a single stroke advantage over countryman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, 67 final round that featured seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger moved one shot clear with two holes to play after a birdie on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the 17th and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the final hole.
Playoff Decider
That set up a playoff at the Yas Links course where Rai prevailed to take the championship and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even more person. To play with him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said the winner, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the moment how it feels. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Other Contenders
The Northern Irish star found himself just too much to do, finishing one shot behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a stunning 62 final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever score on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdies of his own, but his hopes of topping the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Mansell produced an excellent last round seven-under to end up tied for fifth with Australian Daniel Hillier.
