The English golfer Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Play-Off Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated remarkable composure to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating his compatriot in a tense play-off following a topsy-turvy last day of competition.
The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie from around eight feet to seal the win, echoing his only previous tournament triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a play-off win against Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Drama
Rai started the last day with a single stroke lead over countryman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, 67 closing round that included seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger moved a stroke clear with two holes remaining after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but his rival tied it up again on the 17th and then missed a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the last hole.
Play-Off Decider
That set up a playoff at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to claim the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even more individual. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” said Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so focused on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s hard to describe at the present how it is. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Contenders
Rory McIlroy found himself a bit too far to make up, coming up a stroke behind in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-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 dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Richard Mansell produced an excellent final-round 63 to end up tied for fifth with Australia’s Hillier.
