The English golfer Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Versus Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed exceptional composure to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, beating his compatriot in a dramatic playoff following a rollercoaster last day of competition.
The Englishman nailed a crucial birdie from just over eight feet to seal the victory, echoing his sole prior tournament success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a play-off victory over the same opponent.
Sunday's Play Excitement
The champion entered the final round with a single stroke lead over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, five-under final round that included seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger moved a stroke clear with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final hole.
Play-Off Climax
That set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner triumphed to claim the title and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even more individual. To play with him the last two days was really special,” stated Rai, the current world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s hard to describe at the moment how it is. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Other Performances
The Northern Irish star left himself just too much to do, finishing a stroke behind in a tie for third with the Dane, after a stunning 10-under final round of 62. It was his best-ever round on the DP World Tour, including eight birdie putts and an eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdie putts of his as well, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were hit by a dropped shot on the 12th. England’s Mansell produced an excellent final-round 63 to finish tied for fifth with Australian Hillier.
