Aaron Rai Wins the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Play-Off Showdown Against Tommy Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated exceptional nerve to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off after a rollercoaster final round of competition.
The Englishman sank a decisive birdie from around eight foot to seal the win, echoing his only previous Rolex Series success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a play-off win against Fleetwood.
Final Round Excitement
Rai started the last day with a single stroke advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that featured seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger edged a stroke clear with two holes remaining after a birdie putt on the 16th, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the last hole.
Play-Off Decider
That led to a play-off at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to take the title and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even better person. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said the winner, the current world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to describe at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Other Performances
Rory McIlroy found himself a bit too far to do, coming up a stroke short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 final round of 62. It was McIlroy’s best-ever round on the European Tour, comprising eight birdies and an eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdies of his as well, but his hopes of topping the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Mansell produced an excellent last round seven-under to finish tied for fifth with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.
