The English golfer Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Play-Off Battle Against Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated remarkable nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, defeating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off after a topsy-turvy last day of competition.
Rai sank a decisive birdie from just over eight foot to seal the win, echoing his sole prior tournament success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a play-off win against the same opponent.
Final Round Drama
The champion started the final round with a single stroke lead over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of 263 after a up-and-down, 67 final round that included seven birdies and two bogeys.
Fleetwood edged a stroke ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie on the 16th, but his rival tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the last hole.
Play-Off Climax
That set up a playoff at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to take the championship and $1.5m (£1.13m) 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 the winner, the current world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to describe at the present how it feels. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Performances
The Northern Irish star left himself just too much to make up, finishing one shot behind in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 62 closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever score on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdies of his own, but his chances of leading the standings were hit by a bogey on the twelfth. English golfer Richard Mansell hit an excellent final-round 63 to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.