The English golfer Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Playoff Showdown Against Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed remarkable nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating his compatriot in a dramatic playoff following a rollercoaster last day of competition.
The Englishman nailed a crucial birdie from just over eight feet to seal the win, echoing his sole prior tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off win over the same opponent.
Final Round Excitement
Rai entered the last day with a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, 67 final round that featured seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger edged one shot ahead with two holes to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but his rival tied it up again on the 17th and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final hole.
Playoff Decider
This set up a playoff at Yas Links where the eventual winner triumphed to take the title and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even better individual. To play with him the final two rounds was really special,” said the winner, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “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 incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Contenders
Rory McIlroy found himself just too much to make up, finishing one shot short in a shared third place with the Dane, after a spectacular 10-under closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the European Tour, comprising eight birdies and an eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdies of his as well, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. English golfer Richard Mansell hit an superb last round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Hillier.
