Aaron Rai Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Playoff Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated remarkable composure to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off after a rollercoaster final round of competition.
Rai nailed a crucial birdie from around eight foot to seal the win, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a playoff win against Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Excitement
Rai started the last day with a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, 67 closing round that included seven birdies and two bogeys.
Fleetwood moved a stroke ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the last hole.
Play-Off Climax
That set up a playoff at Yas Links where the eventual winner triumphed to claim the title and $1.5m (ÂŁ1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even better person. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” stated Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s hard to describe at the present how it is. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Other Contenders
The Northern Irish star found himself just too much to do, finishing a stroke short in a shared third place with the Dane, after a spectacular 62 closing round of ten-under. It was his best-ever score on the European Tour, including eight birdie putts and an eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdie putts of his as well, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the twelfth. England’s Mansell hit an superb last round 63 to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Hillier.
