The English golfer Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Play-Off Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated remarkable composure to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off after a rollercoaster last day of competition.
Rai nailed a decisive birdie putt from just over eight foot to seal the victory, repeating his only previous tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a playoff victory against the same opponent.
Final Round Drama
Rai started the last day with a single stroke advantage over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under final round that featured seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood moved one shot clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then missed a 10-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the last green.
Playoff Climax
That led to a play-off at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner prevailed to take the championship and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even better person. To play with him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said Rai, the current world No 30. “You’re so focused on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to describe at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Other Contenders
Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to do, finishing one shot behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdies of his as well, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the 12th. England’s Richard Mansell hit an superb last round 63 to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australian Hillier.
