Aaron Rai Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Play-Off Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed exceptional composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off after a rollercoaster last day of play.
The Englishman nailed a crucial birdie putt from just over eight foot to seal the win, repeating his only previous Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a playoff victory over the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Drama
Rai started the final round with a single stroke advantage over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, 67 final round that featured seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
The challenger 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 seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final green.
Play-Off Decider
This set up a playoff at Yas Links where the eventual winner prevailed to take the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even more person. To compete alongside him the last two days was truly memorable,” stated Rai, the current world No 30. “You’re so focused on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to describe at the moment how it feels. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Performances
The Northern Irish star found himself a bit too far to make up, coming up a stroke behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 10-under closing round of 62. It was McIlroy’s best-ever score on the European Tour, comprising eight birdies and an eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdies of his own, but his chances of leading the standings were dented by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Richard Mansell hit an superb final-round 63 to end up tied for fifth with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.