Aaron Rai Clinches the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated remarkable nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, defeating his compatriot in a dramatic playoff after a rollercoaster last day of competition.
The Englishman sank a decisive birdie from just over eight foot to clinch the win, echoing his only previous Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a playoff win against Fleetwood.
Final Round Drama
Rai started the last day with a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that featured seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
Fleetwood edged a stroke ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie on the 16th, but his rival tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the last hole.
Play-Off Decider
That led to a play-off at the Yas Links course where Rai prevailed to claim the championship and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even better person. To play with him the last two days was really special,” stated Rai, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on your game and maintaining focus, it’s hard to describe at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Other Contenders
Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to do, coming up a stroke behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a stunning 10-under final round of 62. It was his lowest-ever score on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were hit by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Richard Mansell produced an excellent final-round seven-under to finish tied for fifth with Australian Hillier.
