Aaron Rai Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Showdown Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated remarkable composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic playoff following a topsy-turvy last day of play.
The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie putt from around eight feet to clinch the win, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a playoff victory over the same opponent.
Final Round Excitement
Rai entered the last day with a one-shot lead over countryman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, five-under closing round that featured seven birdies and two bogeys.
The challenger moved a stroke clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the 16th, but Rai pulled level again on the 17th and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the last hole.
Play-Off Decider
This set up a playoff at the Yas Links course where Rai prevailed to take the championship and $1.5 million (£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,” said the winner, the present world No 30. “You’re so focused on your game and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to put into words at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Other Performances
The Northern Irish star left himself a bit too far to make up, finishing a stroke short in a tie for third with the Dane, after a stunning 62 closing round of 62. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the European Tour, comprising eight birdies and an eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdies of his as well, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the twelfth. English golfer Richard Mansell produced an excellent final-round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.
