Aaron Rai Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Showdown Against Tommy Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated exceptional nerve to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off after a rollercoaster last day of play.
Rai sank a crucial birdie from just over eight feet to clinch the win, echoing his sole prior tournament success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a playoff victory against the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Excitement
Rai started the last day with a single stroke lead over countryman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that featured seven birdies and two bogeys.
Fleetwood moved one shot ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the 16th, but his rival pulled level again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final green.
Play-Off Decider
This set up a play-off at Yas Links where the eventual winner prevailed to take the championship and $1.5m (ÂŁ1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even more individual. To play with him the final two rounds was really special,” said the winner, the current world No 30. “You’re so focused on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s hard to describe at the present how it feels. It is incredible to be stood here.”
Notable Performances
The Northern Irish star found himself just too much to make up, finishing one shot short in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 10-under closing round of 62. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the European Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and an eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of topping the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. English golfer Richard Mansell produced an superb last round seven-under to end up tied for fifth with Australian Hillier.
