The English golfer Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated remarkable composure to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, beating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off after a topsy-turvy final round of competition.
Rai sank a decisive birdie from around eight feet to seal the win, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off win over the same opponent.
Final Round Drama
The champion entered the last day with a one-shot lead over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, 67 final round that included seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger edged one shot clear with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then missed a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final green.
Play-Off Decider
This set up a play-off at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to take the championship and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even more individual. To play with him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” stated Rai, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on your game and maintaining focus, it’s hard to put into words at the present how it is. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Performances
Rory McIlroy found himself just too much to make up, coming up one shot behind in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 final round of 62. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever score on the European Tour, including eight birdies and an eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdies of his own, but his chances of leading the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the 12th. England’s Richard Mansell produced an superb final-round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.
