Aaron Rai Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Play-Off Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed remarkable nerve to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating his compatriot in a dramatic playoff following a rollercoaster final round of competition.
The Englishman sank a crucial birdie from around eight foot to clinch the victory, repeating his only previous tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a play-off win against Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Drama
The champion entered the final round with a single stroke lead over countryman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, five-under closing round that included seven birdies and two bogeys.
Fleetwood edged one shot clear with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie on the 16th, but his rival pulled level again on the seventeenth and then missed a 10-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final hole.
Play-Off Decider
This set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner prevailed to take the title and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even more individual. To play with him the last two days was really special,” said Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and maintaining focus, it’s hard to describe at the moment how it is. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Other Contenders
Rory McIlroy found himself a bit too far to make up, coming up one shot behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a stunning 10-under closing round of 62. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdies and one eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdies of his own, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the twelfth. England’s Mansell hit an superb final-round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.