The English golfer Clinches the Abu Dhabi Title in Thrilling Play-Off Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed remarkable nerve to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, beating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off following a rollercoaster last day of competition.
The Englishman nailed a crucial birdie putt from just over eight feet to seal the win, echoing his sole prior tournament success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a play-off victory over the same opponent.
Final Round Drama
Rai started the final round with a single stroke lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, five-under final round that featured seven birdie putts and two 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 seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final hole.
Playoff Decider
That led to a playoff at Yas Links where Rai triumphed to claim the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even better individual. To play with him the last two days was really special,” said the winner, the current world No 30. “You’re so focused on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to describe at the present how it feels. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Performances
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 10-under closing round of 62. 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 topping the leaderboard were hit by a bogey on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell hit an excellent final-round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Hillier.
