The English golfer Wins the Abu Dhabi Title in Thrilling Play-Off Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed remarkable nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense playoff after a topsy-turvy final round of play.
The Englishman sank a decisive birdie putt from around eight foot to clinch the win, echoing his sole prior Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a playoff win against the same opponent.
Final Round Drama
Rai started the final round with a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, 67 closing round that included seven birdies and two bogeys.
The challenger moved one shot clear with two holes remaining after a birdie putt on the 16th, but his rival pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the last hole.
Playoff Decider
This set up a play-off at Yas Links where the eventual winner prevailed to claim the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even more individual. To compete alongside him the last two days was truly memorable,” stated the winner, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to describe at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Contenders
Rory McIlroy found himself just too much to make up, finishing a stroke behind in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a spectacular 10-under final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdies and one eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his own, but his chances of leading the standings were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Mansell produced an superb last round 63 to finish tied for fifth with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.
