The English golfer Clinches the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Playoff Showdown Against Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed exceptional nerve to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, beating his compatriot in a dramatic playoff after a rollercoaster last day of competition.
Rai sank a crucial birdie putt from around eight feet to seal the victory, echoing his sole prior tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a playoff win against the same opponent.
Final Round Drama
The champion started the last day with a single stroke advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that featured seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
Fleetwood moved one shot ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the final green.
Play-Off Climax
That led to a play-off at the Yas Links course where Rai triumphed to take the championship and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even more individual. To compete alongside him the last two days was really special,” said Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to describe at the present how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Performances
Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to do, coming up one shot behind in a tie for third with the Dane, after a stunning 10-under final round of 62. It was his lowest-ever round on the DP World Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his as well, but his hopes of topping the standings were dented by a bogey on the 12th. England’s Richard Mansell hit an excellent final-round seven-under to finish tied for fifth with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.
