The English golfer Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Playoff Battle Versus Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed exceptional composure to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, beating his compatriot in a tense play-off after a topsy-turvy last day of play.
Rai sank a crucial birdie from around eight feet to seal the victory, repeating his only previous tournament success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a playoff victory over the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Drama
Rai started the last day with a single stroke advantage over countryman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, five-under final round that featured seven birdies and two bogeys.
The challenger edged a stroke ahead with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie 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 hole.
Play-Off Decider
This led to a playoff at Yas Links where Rai triumphed to take the title and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even better person. To compete alongside him the last two days was really special,” said the winner, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s hard to describe at the present how it feels. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Performances
The Northern Irish star left himself a bit too far to make up, finishing a stroke behind in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 final round of ten-under. It was his lowest-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdies and one eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of topping the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the 12th. English golfer Richard Mansell hit an excellent final-round 63 to finish tied for fifth with Australia’s Hillier.
