Aaron Rai Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Play-Off Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional nerve to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, defeating his compatriot in a tense playoff following a topsy-turvy last day of play.
The Englishman nailed a crucial birdie from around eight feet to clinch the win, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a playoff win over the same opponent.
Final Round Excitement
The champion entered the final round with a single stroke lead over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, 67 final round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
The challenger edged a stroke clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the 16th, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then missed a 10-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final green.
Playoff Decider
This set up a playoff at Yas Links where the eventual winner triumphed to claim the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even better person. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said Rai, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on your game and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to put into words at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Other Contenders
The Northern Irish star left himself just too much to make up, coming up a stroke behind in a tie for third with the Dane, after a spectacular 10-under final round of 62. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the DP World Tour, including eight birdie putts and an eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdie putts of his as well, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were hit by a bogey on the twelfth. England’s Mansell hit an superb final-round 63 to end up tied for fifth with Australian Hillier.
