The English golfer Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Playoff Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated remarkable nerve to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, defeating his compatriot in a tense play-off following a rollercoaster last day of play.
Rai nailed a decisive birdie putt from around eight feet to clinch the win, echoing his sole prior tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off victory against Fleetwood.
Final Round Excitement
The champion started the last day with a one-shot lead over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, five-under final round that featured seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
Fleetwood moved one shot ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the 16th, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the final hole.
Play-Off Climax
This set up a playoff at Yas Links where the eventual winner triumphed to take the championship and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even more individual. To play with him the last two days was really special,” said Rai, the current world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the present how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Other Contenders
Rory McIlroy found himself a bit too far to do, finishing one shot short in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a stunning 62 final round of 62. It was McIlroy’s best-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdie putts of his own, but his chances of leading the leaderboard were hit by a dropped shot on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell produced an excellent last round 63 to end up tied for fifth with Australia’s Hillier.
