Aaron Rai Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Against Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated remarkable nerve to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, defeating his compatriot in a tense playoff after a rollercoaster last day of competition.
Rai nailed a crucial birdie putt from around eight foot to seal the victory, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a playoff victory against the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Excitement
The champion started the last day with a single stroke advantage over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that included seven birdies and two bogeys.
The challenger edged one shot ahead with two holes to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level again on the 17th and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the last green.
Play-Off Decider
That set up a playoff at the Yas Links course where Rai triumphed to claim the championship and $1.5m (ÂŁ1.13 million) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even more individual. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was really special,” said Rai, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on your game and maintaining focus, it’s hard to describe at the present how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Notable Performances
The Northern Irish star found himself just too much to make up, coming up one shot behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a stunning 10-under final round of ten-under. It was his lowest-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdie putts of his as well, but his chances of leading the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the twelfth. English golfer Richard Mansell hit an excellent final-round 63 to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Hillier.
