The English golfer Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Playoff Battle Versus Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off after a topsy-turvy last day of play.
Rai sank a crucial birdie putt from just over eight foot to seal the victory, repeating his sole prior tournament success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a play-off victory over the same opponent.
Final Round Excitement
The champion started the last day with a one-shot lead over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of 263 after a up-and-down, 67 final round that included seven birdies and two bogeys.
Fleetwood edged one shot 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 ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the last green.
Playoff Decider
That led to a playoff at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner prevailed to claim the title and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even better person. To compete alongside him the last two days was really special,” stated Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so focused on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to describe at the moment how it is. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Other Contenders
The Northern Irish star left himself a bit too far to do, finishing a stroke behind in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 final round of 62. It was his best-ever round on the DP World Tour, including eight birdies and one eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his as well, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were hit by a bogey on the 12th. English golfer Mansell hit an excellent last round 63 to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.
