The English golfer Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed exceptional nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense playoff after a rollercoaster final round of competition.
Rai sank a decisive birdie putt from around eight feet to seal the victory, echoing his sole prior Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a play-off victory over the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Excitement
The champion entered the last day with a single stroke lead over countryman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
The challenger edged one shot ahead with two holes to play after a birdie on the 16th, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then missed a 10-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the last green.
Playoff Decider
That set up a play-off at Yas Links where Rai triumphed to claim the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even more person. To compete alongside him the last two days was truly memorable,” stated the winner, the current world No 30. “You’re so focused on your game and staying in the zone, it’s hard to describe at the present how it feels. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Contenders
Rory McIlroy found himself a bit too far to do, coming up a stroke short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 closing round of ten-under. It was his lowest-ever score on the European Tour, including eight birdies and an eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of leading the standings were dented by a bogey on the twelfth. England’s Mansell hit an superb last round 63 to finish tied for fifth with Australia’s Hillier.
