The English golfer Wins the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Playoff Battle Versus Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional composure to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off after a topsy-turvy last day of play.
Rai sank a decisive birdie putt from just over eight feet to seal the victory, repeating his sole prior tournament success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a playoff win over the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Excitement
The champion entered the last day with a one-shot advantage over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, five-under closing round that featured seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger moved one shot clear with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie on the 16th, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the last hole.
Play-Off Decider
That set up a playoff at Yas Links where the eventual winner triumphed to take the championship and $1.5 million (ÂŁ1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even better person. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” said the winner, the present world No 30. “You’re so focused on your game and staying in the zone, it’s hard to describe 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 one shot short in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 final round of 62. It was his lowest-ever score on the DP World Tour, including eight birdies and an eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdie putts of his as well, but his hopes of topping the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the twelfth. English golfer Richard Mansell hit an excellent last round seven-under to end up tied for fifth with Australian Hillier.
