The English golfer Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Playoff Showdown Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed exceptional composure to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, beating his compatriot in a tense playoff after a topsy-turvy final round of play.
Rai sank a decisive birdie putt from just over eight foot to clinch the win, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a playoff win over Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Excitement
The champion started the last day with a single stroke lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, five-under closing round that featured seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood moved one shot ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie on the sixteenth, but his rival tied it up again on the 17th and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the last hole.
Play-Off Climax
This set up a play-off at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to take the championship and $1.5 million (ÂŁ1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even more individual. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was really special,” stated the winner, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to describe at the present how it feels. It is amazing to be stood here.”
Notable Contenders
The Northern Irish star found himself a bit too far to make up, finishing one shot 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, comprising eight birdie putts and one eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdie putts of his as well, but his chances of leading the leaderboard were hit by a bogey on the 12th. England’s Mansell hit an superb final-round 63 to finish tied for fifth with Australia’s Hillier.
