The English golfer Clinches the Abu Dhabi Title in Thrilling Play-Off Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed exceptional composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic play-off after a topsy-turvy last day of competition.
Rai nailed a crucial birdie putt from around eight feet to clinch the win, echoing his sole prior tournament success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off win over Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Excitement
The champion started the final round with a single stroke advantage over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that included seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger edged a stroke clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the 16th, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final green.
Playoff Decider
That led to a play-off at Yas Links where the eventual winner triumphed to claim the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even better individual. To play with him the last two days was really special,” said the winner, the current world No 30. “You’re so focused on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s hard to put into words at the present how it feels. It is incredible to be stood here.”
Notable Contenders
Rory McIlroy left himself just too much to do, finishing one shot short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever score on the European Tour, including eight birdies and an eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdie putts of his as well, but his hopes of leading the standings were hit by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Mansell produced an excellent last round seven-under to finish tied for fifth with Australian Hillier.
