The English golfer Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Play-Off Showdown Against Tommy Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed remarkable composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense playoff following a topsy-turvy final round of play.
Rai sank a decisive birdie from just over eight feet to seal the victory, repeating his sole prior tournament triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a play-off win over Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Drama
The champion started the final round with a one-shot lead over countryman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under final round that featured seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger edged a stroke ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level again on the 17th and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final green.
Playoff Climax
This set up a playoff at the Yas Links course 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 play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” stated Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so focused on your game and staying in the zone, it’s hard to put into words at the moment how it is. It is incredible to be stood here.”
Other Contenders
The Northern Irish star left himself just too much to do, coming up one shot short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 62 final round of 62. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever score on the European Tour, including eight birdies and one eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of topping the standings were dented by a bogey on the 12th. English golfer Richard Mansell hit an superb final-round 63 to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Hillier.
