The English golfer Wins the Abu Dhabi Title in Thrilling Playoff Showdown Against Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated remarkable composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense playoff after a topsy-turvy final round of competition.
Rai nailed a crucial birdie from around eight feet to seal the victory, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a play-off win over Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Excitement
The champion entered the final round with a one-shot advantage over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that featured seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
Fleetwood moved a stroke clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the 16th, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final hole.
Playoff Decider
This led to a play-off at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner prevailed to take the championship and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even more individual. To compete alongside him the last two days was truly memorable,” said the winner, the present world No 30. “You’re so focused on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to put into words at the present how it is. It is incredible to be stood here.”
Other Performances
The Northern Irish star found himself just too much to do, coming up a stroke behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a stunning 62 closing round of 62. It was his lowest-ever score on the European Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdies of his own, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were hit by a bogey on the 12th. English golfer Mansell hit an superb final-round 63 to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Hillier.
