🔗 Share this article The English golfer Clinches Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Against Tommy Fleetwood Aaron Rai displayed remarkable composure to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off after a rollercoaster final round of competition. The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie from just over eight foot to clinch the win, echoing his sole prior Rolex Series success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a playoff victory over the same opponent. Final Round Drama The champion started the final round with a one-shot advantage over countryman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, 67 final round that featured seven birdies and a pair of bogeys. Fleetwood moved one shot clear with two holes to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the last green. Playoff Decider This set up a playoff at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner prevailed to take the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in winnings. {“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even more person. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was really special,” stated Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so focused on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to describe at the present how it feels. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.” Other Contenders Rory McIlroy found himself a bit too far to do, coming up one shot behind in a tie for third with the Dane, after a spectacular 10-under closing round of ten-under. It was his lowest-ever round on the DP World Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle. The Danish golfer fired six birdies of his own, but his chances of leading the standings were hit by a dropped shot on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell produced an superb last round 63 to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Hillier.