Aaron Rai Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated remarkable nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic play-off following a rollercoaster last day of competition.
Rai nailed a crucial birdie from just over eight feet to seal the win, echoing his sole prior tournament triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a play-off victory over Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Drama
The champion entered the last day with a single stroke lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that featured seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
The challenger edged a stroke ahead with two holes to play 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 putt to win outright on the last hole.
Play-Off Decider
This set up a playoff at Yas Links 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 last two days was truly memorable,” said Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to describe at the moment how it feels. It is incredible to be stood here.”
Other Contenders
The Northern Irish star left himself just too much to do, finishing a stroke short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 62 closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever round on the European Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of leading the standings were dented by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Mansell produced an superb last round 63 to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Hillier.