Aaron Rai Clinches the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Playoff Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated exceptional composure to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, defeating his compatriot in a tense play-off after a topsy-turvy final round of play.
Rai sank a decisive birdie putt from around eight feet to seal the win, echoing his only previous Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a playoff win against Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Drama
The champion entered the final round with a single stroke advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of 263 after a up-and-down, 67 closing round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
Fleetwood edged a stroke ahead with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie putt on the 16th, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth 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 the Yas Links course where Rai prevailed to take the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even more person. To compete alongside him the last two days was really special,” said the winner, the current world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the present how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Other Performances
Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to do, coming up a stroke behind in a tie for third with the Dane, after a spectacular 10-under closing round of 62. It was McIlroy’s best-ever score on the DP World Tour, including eight birdies and one eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdie putts of his as well, but his chances of leading the standings were hit by a bogey on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell hit an excellent final-round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.
