Aaron Rai Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated exceptional nerve to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, beating his compatriot in a tense play-off after a topsy-turvy last day of play.
The Englishman sank a crucial birdie from around eight feet to clinch the win, repeating his only previous tournament success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a play-off victory against Fleetwood.
Final Round Excitement
The champion entered the last day with a single stroke advantage over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, 67 final round that included seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger moved a stroke clear with two holes remaining after a birdie on the sixteenth, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final hole.
Play-Off Climax
This led to a play-off at Yas Links where the eventual winner prevailed to take the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even better person. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said the winner, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s hard to describe at the present how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Performances
Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to make up, finishing a stroke short in a shared third place with the Dane, after a stunning 62 final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever score 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 standings were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Mansell produced an superb last round seven-under to finish tied for fifth with Australian Daniel Hillier.