The English golfer Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Play-Off Showdown Against Tommy Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated remarkable composure to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, defeating his compatriot in a dramatic playoff after a topsy-turvy last day of competition.
Rai sank a decisive birdie putt from around eight foot to seal the victory, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a play-off win against Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Drama
Rai started the final round with a single stroke advantage over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under final round that included seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger edged a stroke ahead with two holes to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the 17th and then missed a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final green.
Play-Off Climax
That led to a play-off at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner triumphed to take the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even better person. To play with him the last two days 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 difficult to describe at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Performances
The Northern Irish star left himself a bit too far to make up, coming up one shot behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a spectacular 62 final round of ten-under. It was his lowest-ever round on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdies and an eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his as well, but his chances of leading the leaderboard were hit by a bogey on the 12th. English golfer Mansell produced an excellent last round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.
