Aaron Rai Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Showdown Versus Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated remarkable nerve to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off following a rollercoaster last day of play.
The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie from just over eight feet to seal the victory, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a playoff victory over the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Drama
Rai entered the final round with a single stroke advantage over countryman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, five-under final round that included seven birdies and two bogeys.
Fleetwood moved a stroke ahead with two holes to play after a birdie on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final hole.
Play-Off Decider
That set up a playoff at the Yas Links course where Rai prevailed to claim the championship and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even more individual. To play with him the last two days was really special,” stated the winner, the present world No 30. “You’re so focused on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to describe at the present how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Other Contenders
Rory McIlroy found himself a bit too far to make up, coming up a stroke short in a shared third place with the Dane, after a spectacular 10-under final round of 62. It was McIlroy’s best-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdies and an eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his own, but his hopes of topping the standings were hit by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Mansell hit an excellent final-round 63 to end up tied for fifth with Australian Hillier.
