Aaron Rai Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Playoff Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed remarkable nerve to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, defeating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off after a rollercoaster last day of competition.
The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie putt from just over eight feet to clinch the victory, echoing his only previous tournament triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a play-off victory against the same opponent.
Final Round Drama
Rai started the last day with a one-shot advantage over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, five-under closing round that featured seven birdies and two bogeys.
The challenger edged a stroke clear with two holes remaining after a birdie putt on the 16th, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the last hole.
Play-Off Decider
That led to a play-off at the Yas Links course where Rai triumphed to claim the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even more individual. 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 playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the present how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Notable Performances
Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to do, coming up a stroke short in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 10-under closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the European Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdie putts of his own, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were hit by a dropped shot on the twelfth. English golfer Richard Mansell hit an excellent last round 63 to finish tied for fifth with Australian Hillier.
