The English golfer Clinches the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Playoff Battle Against Tommy Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed remarkable nerve to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating his compatriot in a tense playoff after a rollercoaster last day of play.
Rai sank a crucial birdie putt from around eight foot to seal the win, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off win over Fleetwood.
Final Round Drama
Rai started the final round with a single stroke advantage over countryman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, 67 final round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
The challenger edged one shot clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final hole.
Playoff Decider
This set up a playoff at Yas Links where the eventual winner triumphed to claim the title and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even more person. To play with him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so focused on your game and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to describe at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Notable Contenders
Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to do, coming up a stroke behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 10-under final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever score on the European Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and one eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of leading the standings were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell produced an excellent last round 63 to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australian Hillier.
