The English golfer Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Playoff Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed exceptional composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating his compatriot in a dramatic playoff after a rollercoaster last day of play.
The Englishman sank a crucial birdie from around eight foot to clinch the victory, echoing his only previous tournament success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a playoff victory over Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Excitement
The champion started the final round with a single stroke lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of 263 after a up-and-down, 67 closing round that featured seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger moved a stroke clear with two holes to play after a birdie putt on the 16th, but Rai pulled level again on the 17th and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the final green.
Playoff Climax
That set up a playoff at Yas Links where the eventual winner prevailed to take the championship and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even better individual. To play with him the final two rounds was really special,” said the winner, the current world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to put into words at the present how it is. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Other Contenders
The Northern Irish star found himself just too much to do, finishing a stroke short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a spectacular 10-under final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the DP World Tour, including eight birdies and one eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the 12th. England’s Richard Mansell produced an superb final-round 63 to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Hillier.
