Aaron Rai Wins the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed exceptional nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off following a rollercoaster final round of competition.
Rai nailed a decisive birdie putt from just over eight feet to clinch the win, repeating his only previous Rolex Series success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a play-off win over Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Drama
Rai started the last day with a single stroke advantage over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, five-under final round that featured seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood edged one shot clear with two holes to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the last hole.
Play-Off Climax
That set up a playoff at Yas Links where the eventual winner prevailed to claim the championship and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even more individual. To play with him the last two days was really special,” said Rai, the current world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the moment how it feels. It is incredible to be stood here.”
Other Performances
The Northern Irish star found himself just too much to make up, finishing a stroke short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under closing round of 62. It was his lowest-ever score on the DP World Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his as well, but his chances of leading the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. English golfer Richard Mansell produced an excellent last round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.
