The English golfer Clinches the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Playoff Battle Against Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic playoff after a rollercoaster final round of play.
Rai sank a decisive birdie from around eight foot to clinch the win, echoing his sole prior tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a playoff win against the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Drama
Rai entered the last day with a single stroke advantage over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of 263 after a up-and-down, 67 closing round that included seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood moved one shot ahead with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level again on the 17th and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the final green.
Play-Off Decider
That set up a playoff at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to claim the championship and $1.5m (ÂŁ1.13 million) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even more individual. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” stated Rai, the present 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 is. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Other Performances
The Northern Irish star left himself just too much to do, coming up a stroke short in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 10-under closing round of ten-under. It was his best-ever round on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and one eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdies of his as well, but his chances of leading the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Mansell hit an excellent last round 63 to finish tied for fifth with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.
