The English golfer Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Play-Off Battle Versus Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed remarkable composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off following a topsy-turvy last day of play.
Rai sank a decisive birdie from just over eight feet to clinch the win, echoing his only previous Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a play-off win over Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Excitement
Rai started the last day with a single stroke advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, 67 closing round that featured seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood edged a stroke ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the 17th and then missed a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final hole.
Playoff Decider
That led to a playoff at the Yas Links course where Rai triumphed to claim the title and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even better person. To play with him the last two days was really special,” said Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s hard to put into words at the present how it feels. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Other Performances
The Northern Irish star left himself just too much to make up, coming up a stroke behind in a tie for third with the Dane, after a spectacular 10-under closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever score on the European Tour, including eight birdies and one eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdies of his own, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the 12th. English golfer Richard Mansell hit an excellent last round 63 to end up tied for fifth with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.
