The English golfer Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Showdown Against Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed exceptional composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off after a rollercoaster last day of competition.
The Englishman sank a crucial birdie putt from around eight foot to seal the victory, repeating his only previous Rolex Series success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a play-off win over the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Drama
Rai entered the last day with a one-shot advantage over countryman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under final round that included seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger edged one shot ahead with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the last hole.
Playoff Climax
This set up a play-off at Yas Links where Rai triumphed to claim the championship and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even more individual. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” stated the winner, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on your game and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to describe at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Other Contenders
The Northern Irish star found himself just too much to do, finishing a stroke short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under closing round of ten-under. It was his best-ever round on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and an eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Richard Mansell produced an superb last round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Hillier.
