The English golfer Wins the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Playoff Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood
The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated exceptional nerve to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, beating his compatriot in a dramatic playoff after a topsy-turvy last day of competition.
Rai sank a decisive birdie from around eight foot to seal the victory, repeating his sole prior tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a play-off victory against Fleetwood.
Sunday's Play Drama
Rai started the last day with a single stroke advantage over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, 67 final round that featured seven birdies and two bogeys.
The challenger edged a stroke ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the 16th, but his rival pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the final green.
Playoff Decider
This led to a playoff at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner prevailed to take the championship and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even better person. To play with him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said the winner, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s hard to put into words at the moment how it is. It is incredible to be stood here.”
Notable Contenders
Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to make up, coming up a stroke short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 62 closing round of ten-under. It was his best-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdie putts and an eagle.
The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his own, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell hit an superb last round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.
