The English golfer Wins the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Play-Off Showdown Against Tommy Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated remarkable nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating his compatriot in a tense playoff following a rollercoaster last day of competition.
The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie putt from around eight feet to seal the victory, repeating his only previous Rolex Series triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off victory against the same opponent.
Final Round Drama
Rai entered the last day with a single stroke advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, 67 closing round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
Fleetwood moved one shot clear with two holes remaining after a birdie on the 16th, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the final green.
Play-Off Decider
This led to a play-off at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to claim the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even more individual. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was really special,” said Rai, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s hard to describe at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Notable Contenders
Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to make up, coming up a stroke behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 10-under final round of 62. It was his lowest-ever score on the European Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and one eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdie putts of his as well, but his chances of leading the standings were hit by a bogey on the twelfth. English golfer Richard Mansell produced an superb final-round 63 to finish tied for fifth with Australian Daniel Hillier.
