Aaron Rai Clinches the Abu Dhabi Title in Thrilling Play-Off Showdown Versus Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed exceptional nerve to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating his compatriot in a dramatic playoff after a topsy-turvy last day of competition.
The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie putt from around eight feet to seal the victory, repeating his only previous Rolex Series triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off victory against Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Drama
Rai started the final round with a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that featured seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger moved one shot clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level again on the 17th and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final green.
Playoff Decider
That led to a play-off at the Yas Links course where Rai prevailed to take the title and $1.5m (ÂŁ1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even more individual. To compete alongside him the last two days was really special,” said the winner, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the moment how it feels. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Other Contenders
The Northern Irish star found himself just too much to do, finishing one shot short in a shared third place with the Dane, after a spectacular 10-under final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever score on the European Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdies of his own, but his hopes of topping the standings were dented by a bogey on the twelfth. English golfer Richard Mansell produced an excellent final-round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.
