🔗 Share this article Aaron Rai Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Showdown Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated exceptional nerve to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic playoff following a topsy-turvy final round of play. The Englishman nailed a crucial birdie from around eight foot to clinch the win, echoing his only previous Rolex Series triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a playoff win against the same opponent. Final Round Excitement The champion entered the last day with a single stroke lead over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, 67 final round that featured seven birdie putts and two bogeys. Fleetwood edged one shot clear with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level again on the 17th and then missed a ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the last green. Play-Off Climax That set up a playoff at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to take the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money. {“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even more individual. To play with him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said the winner, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be stood here.” Other Performances Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to do, finishing a stroke behind in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 62 final round of 62. It was his best-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle. The Danish golfer fired six birdies of his own, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were hit by a bogey on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell hit an superb last round 63 to end up tied for fifth with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.