The English golfer Clinches the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Versus Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed exceptional composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, defeating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off following a rollercoaster last day of competition.
Rai sank a decisive birdie from around eight feet to clinch the win, echoing his sole prior tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off win against the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Excitement
The champion started the final round with a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, five-under final round that featured seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
The challenger moved a stroke ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie on the 16th, but his rival tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the last green.
Play-Off Decider
That led to a play-off at the Yas Links course where Rai prevailed to take the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even more individual. To play with him the final two rounds was really special,” stated Rai, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on your game and maintaining focus, it’s hard to put into words at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Notable Contenders
The Northern Irish star left himself a bit too far to make up, coming up a stroke short in a shared third place with the Dane, after a spectacular 62 final round of 62. It was his best-ever round on the European Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and one eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdies of his as well, but his chances of topping the standings were dented by a bogey on the 12th. England’s Mansell produced an superb last round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.