Aaron Rai Wins the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Play-Off Showdown Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated remarkable nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating his compatriot in a dramatic playoff after a topsy-turvy final round of play.
Rai sank a decisive birdie putt from just over eight foot to seal the victory, echoing his sole prior tournament success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a playoff victory against Fleetwood.
Final Round Excitement
The champion started the last day with a single stroke lead over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, five-under closing round that included seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger moved one shot clear with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie putt on the 16th, but his rival pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final hole.
Play-Off Decider
This set up a playoff at Yas Links where the eventual winner prevailed to claim the title and $1.5 million (ÂŁ1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even more person. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” stated the winner, the current world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s hard to put into words at the present how it feels. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Contenders
The Northern Irish star found himself just too much to make up, finishing a stroke behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a spectacular 62 closing round of ten-under. It was his lowest-ever score on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and an eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdie putts of his own, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the 12th. England’s Mansell hit an superb last round 63 to finish tied for fifth with Australia’s Hillier.