Aaron Rai Wins the Abu Dhabi Title in Thrilling Playoff Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed exceptional composure to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense playoff following a topsy-turvy final round of play.
The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie putt from around eight foot to seal the victory, echoing his only previous tournament success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a playoff win against Fleetwood.
Final Round Drama
Rai started the final round with a single stroke advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, five-under closing round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
Fleetwood moved a stroke clear with two holes remaining after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level again on the 17th and then missed a ten-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the final green.
Play-Off Decider
That set up a playoff at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner triumphed to claim the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even better individual. To compete alongside him the last two days was really special,” stated the winner, the current world No 30. “You’re so focused on your game and maintaining focus, it’s hard to describe at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Other Contenders
The Northern Irish star found himself just too much to make up, finishing a stroke behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a stunning 62 closing round of 62. It was his lowest-ever round on the European Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdie putts of his as well, but his hopes of topping the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the 12th. England’s Richard Mansell hit an superb last round seven-under to finish tied for fifth with Australia’s Hillier.
