The English golfer Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Play-Off Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated remarkable composure to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off after a rollercoaster final round of play.
The Englishman sank a decisive birdie putt from around eight feet to clinch the win, echoing his only previous Rolex Series triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off win over the same opponent.
Final Round Drama
The champion entered the last day with a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, five-under final round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
Fleetwood moved one shot ahead with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie putt on the 16th, but his rival tied it up again on the 17th and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the last green.
Play-Off Climax
This set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner prevailed to claim the title and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even better individual. To compete alongside him the last two days was truly memorable,” stated the winner, the present world No 30. “You’re so focused on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s hard to put into words at the moment how it feels. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Other Performances
The Northern Irish star left himself a bit too far to make up, finishing one shot behind in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a spectacular 10-under closing round of 62. It was his lowest-ever round on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdies of his own, but his hopes of topping the leaderboard were hit by a dropped shot on the 12th. England’s Richard Mansell hit an excellent last round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Hillier.
