The English golfer Secures the Abu Dhabi Title in Thrilling Playoff Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated exceptional nerve to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, beating his compatriot in a tense playoff after a topsy-turvy last day of competition.
Rai sank a decisive birdie putt from around eight feet to seal the victory, repeating his sole prior tournament success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a playoff victory over the same opponent.
Final Round Excitement
The champion started the last day with a one-shot advantage over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under final round that included seven birdies and two bogeys.
The challenger moved one shot ahead with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie on the 16th, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the final hole.
Playoff Climax
That set up a play-off at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to claim the title and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even better individual. To play with him the last two days was really special,” said Rai, the current world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to put into words at the moment how it feels. It is incredible to be stood here.”
Other Contenders
The Northern Irish star left himself a bit too far to make up, finishing a stroke short in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 10-under closing round of 62. It was McIlroy’s best-ever score on the European Tour, including eight birdies and an eagle.
Højgaard fired six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of topping the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot 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 Hillier.
