Aaron Rai Wins the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Play-Off Showdown Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed remarkable nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense playoff after a topsy-turvy last day of play.
The Englishman sank a crucial birdie putt from just over eight feet to clinch the victory, echoing his only previous tournament triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a play-off victory against Fleetwood.
Final Round Excitement
The champion started the final round with a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that featured seven birdies and two bogeys.
Fleetwood moved a stroke clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the sixteenth, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the last hole.
Play-Off Climax
That set up a playoff at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner prevailed to take the title and $1.5m (ÂŁ1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even more individual. To compete alongside him the last two days was really special,” said the winner, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Notable Contenders
The Northern Irish star found himself just too much to do, finishing one shot short in a tie for third with the Dane, after a spectacular 10-under final round of 62. It was his lowest-ever score on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdies of his as well, but his hopes of leading the standings were hit by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Richard Mansell hit an excellent final-round seven-under to finish tied for fifth with Australian Daniel Hillier.
