The English golfer Wins the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Playoff Battle Against Tommy Fleetwood
Aaron Rai demonstrated remarkable nerve to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, defeating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off following a rollercoaster final round of play.
Rai nailed a crucial birdie putt from just over eight feet to seal the win, repeating his only previous tournament triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a play-off victory over the same opponent.
Final Round Drama
Rai entered the final round with a single stroke advantage over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, 67 final round that included seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.
The challenger moved one shot clear with two holes remaining after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai tied it up again on the 17th and then missed a 10-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the last green.
Play-Off Climax
That led to a playoff at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner prevailed to take the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even more person. To play with him the last two days was really special,” stated Rai, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s hard to describe at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
Notable Performances
The Northern Irish star left himself just too much to make up, coming up one shot behind in a tie for third with the Dane, after a spectacular 10-under final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever score on the European Tour, including eight birdies and an eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdie putts of his as well, but his hopes of topping the standings were hit by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Mansell produced an superb final-round 63 to finish tied for fifth with Australian Daniel Hillier.
