Aaron Rai Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Showdown Against Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed exceptional composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic play-off following a topsy-turvy last day of play.
The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie from around eight feet to clinch the victory, repeating his sole prior tournament success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a playoff victory over Fleetwood.
Final Round Drama
The champion started the final round with a single stroke lead over countryman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of 263 after a up-and-down, 67 final round that included seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger edged a stroke clear with two holes remaining after a birdie on the 16th, but his rival pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final green.
Playoff Climax
That set up a playoff at Yas Links where Rai triumphed to claim the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even better individual. To play with him the final two rounds was really special,” stated Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to describe at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Other Performances
The Northern Irish star found himself a bit too far to do, coming up a stroke behind in a tie for third with the Dane, after a stunning 62 final round of ten-under. It was his best-ever score on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and one eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdie putts of his own, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Mansell hit an excellent last round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.