Aaron Rai Wins the Abu Dhabi Title in Thrilling Playoff Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed remarkable composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense playoff after a rollercoaster final round of play.
Rai nailed a decisive birdie putt from just over eight foot to seal the win, echoing his sole prior Rolex Series success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a playoff victory against Fleetwood.
Final Round Excitement
Rai entered the final round with a single stroke advantage over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that included seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood moved a stroke ahead with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but his rival tied it up again on the 17th and then missed a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the last hole.
Play-Off Decider
This led to a play-off at Yas Links where Rai triumphed to take the championship and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even better person. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” stated the winner, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to describe at the present how it is. It is incredible to be stood here.”
Other Performances
The Northern Irish star left himself a bit too far to make up, coming up one shot behind 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 European Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and one eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdie putts of his as well, but his chances of topping the standings were hit by a bogey on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell produced an excellent last round 63 to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australian Hillier.
