Aaron Rai Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Playoff Showdown Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed exceptional nerve to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense playoff after a topsy-turvy last day of play.
The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie putt from just over eight foot to clinch the victory, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a play-off victory over Fleetwood.
Final Round Drama
The champion entered the final round with a one-shot lead over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, five-under closing round that included seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood moved one shot ahead with two holes to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final green.
Playoff Climax
This led to a play-off at the Yas Links course where Rai triumphed to claim the title and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even more individual. To compete alongside him the last two days was really special,” stated Rai, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the present how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Contenders
Rory McIlroy found himself just too much to do, finishing a stroke behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a stunning 62 closing round of ten-under. It was his lowest-ever round on the European Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and one eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdies of his own, but his hopes of topping the standings were dented by a bogey on the twelfth. England’s Richard Mansell produced an excellent last round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.
