Aaron Rai Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Play-Off Showdown Against Tommy Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed remarkable composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off following a rollercoaster final round of competition.
The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie from just over eight foot to seal the win, repeating his sole prior tournament success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a play-off victory against Fleetwood.
Final Round Drama
Rai started the final round with a one-shot lead over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, five-under closing round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
The challenger edged a stroke ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie putt on the 16th, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the last green.
Playoff Decider
That led to a play-off at Yas Links where the eventual winner prevailed to claim the championship and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even better individual. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” said the winner, the current world No 30. “You’re so focused on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s hard to put into words at the present how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Notable Contenders
The Northern Irish star left himself just too much to make up, finishing one shot short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 final round of ten-under. It was his lowest-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdies and one eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdie putts of his as well, but his hopes of topping the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the 12th. English golfer Richard Mansell produced an superb final-round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.
