Aaron Rai Clinches the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Playoff Battle Against Tommy Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer displayed remarkable nerve to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic playoff after a rollercoaster last day of play.
Rai sank a decisive birdie from around eight feet to clinch the win, repeating his sole prior tournament triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a playoff win over the same opponent.
Final Round Drama
Rai entered the final round with a single stroke advantage over countryman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
The challenger moved one shot clear with two holes remaining after a birdie putt on the 16th, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the last hole.
Play-Off Climax
That led to a play-off at the Yas Links course where Rai triumphed to claim the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in winnings.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even better individual. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was really special,” said the winner, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on your game and staying in the zone, it’s hard to describe at the present how it feels. It is incredible to be stood here.”
Other Contenders
Rory McIlroy found himself a bit too far to do, finishing a stroke behind in a tie for third with the Dane, after a spectacular 10-under final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever score on the European Tour, comprising eight birdies and an eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdies of his own, but his chances of leading the standings were hit by a bogey on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell hit an superb final-round seven-under to end up tied for fifth with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.