The English golfer Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Playoff Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated remarkable nerve to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense playoff following a rollercoaster last day of competition.
The Englishman sank a decisive birdie putt from just over eight feet to clinch the win, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a playoff victory against Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Excitement
The champion started the last day with a one-shot advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, 67 final round that featured seven birdies and two bogeys.
Fleetwood moved one shot ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie putt on the 16th, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the final hole.
Play-Off Climax
This led to a playoff at the Yas Links course where Rai triumphed to take the title and $1.5 million (ÂŁ1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even more person. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” said Rai, the current world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s hard to put into words at the moment how it is. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Contenders
The Northern Irish star left himself just too much to make up, coming up one shot behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a spectacular 62 closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdies of his as well, but his hopes of topping the standings were hit by a bogey on the twelfth. England’s Richard Mansell hit an excellent last round seven-under to finish tied for fifth with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.
