Aaron Rai Wins the Abu Dhabi Title in Thrilling Playoff Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated exceptional composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off after a topsy-turvy last day of play.
Rai sank a crucial birdie from around eight feet to seal the victory, echoing his only previous tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off victory over Fleetwood.
Final Round Excitement
The champion started the final round with a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, 67 final round that included seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood moved one shot clear with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final green.
Playoff Decider
This set up a playoff at the Yas Links course where Rai prevailed to take the championship and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even better individual. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was really special,” said the winner, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on your game and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to put into words at the present how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Notable Contenders
The Northern Irish star found himself a bit too far to make up, coming up one shot short in a tie for third with the Dane, after a stunning 62 final round of ten-under. It was his best-ever round on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdie putts of his own, but his chances of topping the standings were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Richard Mansell hit an excellent last round 63 to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.
