Aaron Rai Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Playoff Battle Against Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated remarkable nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic playoff following a rollercoaster final round of play.
Rai nailed a decisive birdie putt from just over eight foot to seal the victory, echoing his only previous tournament triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a play-off win over Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Drama
The champion entered the final round with a one-shot advantage over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, five-under final round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
The challenger moved one shot clear with two holes to play after a birdie on the 16th, but his rival tied it up again on the 17th and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the last hole.
Playoff Climax
That set up a playoff at Yas Links where the eventual winner triumphed to claim the championship and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even better individual. To play with him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” stated the winner, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to put into words at the moment how it feels. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Performances
The Northern Irish star found himself a bit too far to do, finishing a stroke short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under final round of 62. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever score on the DP World Tour, including eight birdie putts and an eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his own, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were hit by a bogey on the twelfth. England’s Richard Mansell produced an superb final-round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.
