The English golfer Wins the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Playoff Showdown Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed remarkable composure to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, defeating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off following a topsy-turvy final round of play.
The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie from around eight feet to seal the win, repeating his only previous Rolex Series triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a playoff victory over the same opponent.
Final Round Drama
The champion entered the last day with a single stroke advantage over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, five-under closing round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
Fleetwood moved a stroke ahead with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie putt on the 16th, but his rival tied it up again on the 17th and then missed a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the last green.
Play-Off Decider
This set up a playoff at Yas Links where Rai triumphed to claim the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even better person. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was really special,” stated the winner, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the present how it feels. It is incredible to be stood here.”
Other Performances
The Northern Irish star left himself just too much to do, coming up one shot short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 62 final round of ten-under. It was his lowest-ever score on the European Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and an eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdies of his as well, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the 12th. England’s Mansell produced an superb last round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Hillier.
