The English golfer Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Versus Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional nerve to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off after a rollercoaster final round of play.
Rai nailed a crucial birdie putt from around eight foot to seal the victory, repeating his sole prior tournament triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a playoff win over Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Excitement
Rai entered the last day with a one-shot advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, five-under final round that featured seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
The challenger edged one shot clear with two holes to play after a birdie on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level again on the 17th and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the last green.
Play-Off Decider
That set up a play-off at Yas Links where the eventual winner prevailed to take the title and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even better person. To compete alongside him the last two days was really special,” said the winner, the present world No 30. “You’re so focused on your game and staying in the zone, it’s hard to put into words at the moment how it is. It is incredible to be stood here.”
Notable Contenders
The Northern Irish star found himself a bit too far to do, finishing one shot behind in a tie for third with the Dane, after a spectacular 62 closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever round on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdies of his as well, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were hit by a dropped shot on the twelfth. English golfer Richard Mansell hit an superb last round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australian Hillier.
