Aaron Rai Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Playoff Showdown Versus Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed remarkable nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating his compatriot in a tense playoff following a topsy-turvy last day of competition.
Rai sank a crucial birdie from just over eight feet to clinch the win, echoing his only previous Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a play-off win against the same opponent.
Final Round Drama
The champion started the last day with a single stroke advantage over countryman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, 67 closing round that featured seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
The challenger edged a stroke ahead with two holes to play after a birdie on the 16th, but his rival tied it up again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the last green.
Play-Off Decider
This set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner triumphed to take the championship and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even better individual. To play with him the last two days was really special,” said Rai, the current world No 30. “You’re so focused on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to describe at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Notable Performances
Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to do, finishing one shot behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a spectacular 62 closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever round on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdies and an eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdies of his as well, but his chances of leading the standings were hit by a dropped shot on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell produced an superb last round 63 to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.
