Aaron Rai Secures the Abu Dhabi Title in Thrilling Play-Off Battle Versus Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed remarkable composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic play-off after a rollercoaster final round of competition.
The Englishman sank a crucial birdie putt from around eight feet to seal the victory, repeating his sole prior tournament success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a playoff victory against Fleetwood.
Final Round Drama
Rai entered the final round with a single stroke advantage over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, 67 closing round that included seven birdies and two bogeys.
The challenger edged one shot clear with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie putt on the 16th, but his rival pulled level again on the 17th and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final green.
Playoff Decider
That led to a playoff at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to take the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even more person. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was really special,” said Rai, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on your game and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to put into words at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Other Contenders
The Northern Irish star left himself a bit too far to do, coming up a stroke short in a shared third place with the Dane, after a spectacular 62 closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdies of his own, but his hopes of topping the standings were hit by a bogey on the 12th. England’s Richard Mansell produced an superb last round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.