Aaron Rai Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Playoff Showdown Against Tommy Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed remarkable nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off following a rollercoaster final round of competition.
Rai nailed a decisive birdie putt from around eight feet to clinch the win, echoing his only previous tournament success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a playoff victory against the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Excitement
Rai started the last day with a single stroke advantage over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, 67 closing round that featured seven birdies and two bogeys.
The challenger moved a stroke ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie putt on the 16th, but Rai pulled level again on the 17th and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final hole.
Play-Off Decider
This set up a play-off at Yas Links where the eventual winner triumphed to take the championship and $1.5 million (ÂŁ1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even more person. To play with him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said Rai, 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 moment how it is. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Contenders
The Northern Irish star left himself just too much to make up, coming up one shot short in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 10-under final round of ten-under. It was his lowest-ever round on the European Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and an eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdie putts of his as well, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were hit by a dropped shot on the 12th. England’s Mansell hit an superb last round seven-under to finish tied for fifth with Australia’s Hillier.
