The English golfer Secures the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Against Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional composure to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense playoff after a rollercoaster last day of competition.
The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie putt from just over eight feet to clinch the victory, 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
Rai entered the final round with a one-shot advantage over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under final round that included seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.
Fleetwood moved one shot ahead with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie putt on the 16th, but Rai tied it up again on the 17th and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the final green.
Play-Off Climax
That led to a play-off at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to claim the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class 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 hard to put into words at the present how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Contenders
The Northern Irish star found himself just too much to do, coming up one shot behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a stunning 62 closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever score on the DP World Tour, including eight birdies and an eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdies of his as well, but his hopes of topping the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the twelfth. England’s Mansell hit an superb last round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australian Hillier.
