Aaron Rai Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated remarkable composure to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off following a topsy-turvy final round of play.
Rai nailed a decisive birdie putt from around eight feet to seal the win, echoing his sole prior Rolex Series success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a play-off victory over Fleetwood.
Final Round Drama
Rai entered the last day with a single stroke lead over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of 263 after a up-and-down, 67 final round that included seven birdies and two bogeys.
The challenger edged one shot ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level again on the 17th and then missed a 10-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the last hole.
Playoff Climax
That set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner prevailed to claim the championship and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class 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 hard to put into words at the present how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Notable Contenders
The Northern Irish star left himself just too much to make up, coming up a stroke short in a shared third place with the Dane, after a spectacular 62 closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdies and one eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdies of his own, but his hopes of topping the standings were dented by a bogey on the 12th. English golfer Richard Mansell hit an superb last round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australian Hillier.