Aaron Rai Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Showdown Against Tommy Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated exceptional nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic playoff after a topsy-turvy final round of competition.
The Englishman sank a crucial birdie putt from just over eight feet to seal the win, echoing his sole prior tournament triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a playoff win against the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Drama
The champion entered the final round with a single stroke lead over countryman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that included seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger moved one shot clear with two holes remaining after a birdie on the sixteenth, but Rai tied it up again on the 17th and then missed a ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final green.
Play-Off Decider
This led to a playoff at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to claim the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even more person. To play with him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” stated Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so focused on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s hard to describe at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Other Performances
The Northern Irish star found himself a bit too far to make up, finishing one shot short in a shared third place with the Dane, after a spectacular 10-under final round of 62. It was McIlroy’s best-ever round on the DP World Tour, including eight birdie putts and an eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdie putts of his own, but his chances of leading the leaderboard were hit by a dropped shot on the 12th. England’s Richard Mansell hit an superb final-round 63 to finish tied for fifth with Australian Hillier.
