The English golfer Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Playoff Showdown Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed remarkable nerve to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, beating his compatriot in a tense play-off following a rollercoaster last day of play.
The Englishman nailed a crucial birdie putt from just over eight foot to seal the win, echoing his sole prior Rolex Series success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a play-off win against the same opponent.
Final Round Drama
The champion entered the final round with a one-shot lead over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under final round that included seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood moved a stroke clear with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie on the 16th, but his rival tied it up again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final hole.
Play-Off Decider
This set up a playoff at the Yas Links course where Rai prevailed to take the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even better individual. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was really special,” stated the winner, the current world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Other Contenders
Rory McIlroy found himself a bit too far to do, coming up a stroke behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever score on the DP World Tour, including eight birdies and one eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his as well, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were hit by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Mansell produced an excellent final-round seven-under to finish tied for fifth with Australia’s Hillier.
