The English golfer Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Play-Off Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated remarkable composure to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, defeating his compatriot in a tense playoff after a topsy-turvy final round of competition.
The Englishman sank a decisive birdie from just over eight foot to seal the win, repeating his sole prior tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a playoff win against Fleetwood.
Final Round Excitement
The champion entered the final round with a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, five-under final round that featured seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
Fleetwood moved a stroke ahead with two holes to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the 17th and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the final hole.
Playoff Climax
This set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where Rai triumphed to claim the championship and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even more person. To compete alongside him the last two days was truly memorable,” said the winner, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s hard to describe at the moment how it is. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Other Performances
Rory McIlroy left himself just too much to do, coming up a stroke short in a tie for third with the Dane, after a stunning 62 final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever round on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdies of his as well, but his hopes of leading the standings were hit by a bogey on the twelfth. English golfer Richard Mansell produced an excellent last round seven-under to end up tied for fifth with Australia’s Hillier.
