The English golfer Secures the Abu Dhabi Title in Thrilling Play-Off Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
Aaron Rai displayed exceptional composure to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic play-off following a rollercoaster final round of competition.
Rai nailed a decisive birdie putt from just over eight feet to clinch the win, repeating his only previous tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a playoff victory over the same opponent.
Final Round Drama
The champion entered the last day with a single stroke lead over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, 67 final round that included seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger moved a stroke clear with two holes to play after a birdie on the 16th, but his rival tied it up again on the seventeenth and then missed a 10-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final green.
Play-Off Climax
This led to a playoff at the Yas Links course where Rai triumphed to take the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even more person. To play with him the final two rounds was really special,” stated the winner, the present world No 30. “You’re so focused on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the moment how it is. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Contenders
The Northern Irish star found himself a bit too far to make up, finishing a stroke short in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 10-under final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever score on the DP World Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdies of his as well, but his hopes of topping the leaderboard were hit by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Richard Mansell hit an superb last round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.