The English golfer Wins the Abu Dhabi Title in Thrilling Playoff Battle Versus Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated remarkable composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, defeating his compatriot in a tense play-off after a topsy-turvy final round of competition.
Rai sank a crucial birdie putt from around eight foot to clinch the win, repeating his sole prior tournament triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a playoff win over Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Drama
The champion entered the final round with a single stroke lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, 67 closing round that included seven birdies and two bogeys.
Fleetwood edged a stroke clear with two holes to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then missed a 10-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final hole.
Playoff Climax
This set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner prevailed to take the title and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even better person. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” said the winner, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to put into words at the present how it is. It is incredible to be stood here.”
Notable Contenders
Rory McIlroy left himself just too much to make up, finishing a stroke behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a stunning 62 final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever round on the European Tour, comprising eight birdies and an eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdies of his own, but his hopes of leading the standings were dented by a dropped shot on the 12th. England’s Richard Mansell produced an excellent final-round seven-under to end up tied for fifth with Australian Hillier.
