🔗 Share this article The English golfer Clinches the Abu Dhabi Title in Thrilling Play-Off Battle Against Tommy Fleetwood Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating his compatriot in a tense playoff following a rollercoaster final round of competition. Rai nailed a crucial birdie from just over eight foot to seal the victory, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a playoff victory over the same opponent. Final Round Drama Rai entered the last day with a single stroke advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, five-under final round that featured seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys. Fleetwood moved one shot ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the 16th, but Rai pulled level again on the 17th and then missed a 10-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the last hole. Playoff Decider This set up a playoff at Yas Links where the eventual winner triumphed to claim the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in prize money. {“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even better individual. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was really special,” said Rai, the current world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s hard to describe at the present how it feels. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.” Notable Performances The Northern Irish star left himself just too much to make up, finishing a stroke behind in a tie for third with the Dane, after a stunning 10-under closing round of ten-under. It was his lowest-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdies and one eagle. Højgaard fired six birdies of his own, but his hopes of topping the standings were dented by a bogey on the twelfth. England’s Mansell hit an excellent final-round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.