🔗 Share this article The English golfer Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Showdown Versus Tommy Fleetwood Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional composure to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, beating his compatriot in a tense playoff after a topsy-turvy last day of play. The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie putt from around eight foot to seal the win, repeating his only previous tournament triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a play-off victory over Fleetwood. Sunday's Play Drama The champion started the last day with a single stroke advantage over countryman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that included seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys. The challenger edged a stroke ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie putt on the 16th, but his rival tied it up again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the last green. Play-Off Climax This set up a play-off at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to take the title and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in prize money. {“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even more individual. To compete alongside him the last two days was truly memorable,” stated Rai, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on your game and maintaining focus, it’s hard to describe at the present how it is. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.” Notable Contenders The Northern Irish star found himself a bit too far to do, finishing a stroke short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever score on the European Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle. Højgaard carded six birdies of his own, but his hopes of topping the standings were hit by a bogey on the 12th. England’s Mansell produced an superb last round seven-under to end up tied for fifth with Australian Hillier.