Aaron Rai Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Play-off
Aaron Rai secured victory at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship by defeating Tommy Fleetwood on the first play-off hole. The 30-year-old clinched the win with a birdie from just over eight feet, repeating his success in a Rolex Series play-off against Fleetwood—the 2020 Scottish Open.
Final Round Performance
Rai entered the final round holding a one-shot lead over Fleetwood and Nicolai Hojgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a fluctuating five-under round, marked by seven birdies and two bogeys. Despite missing a 10-foot putt on the last hole that could have won the tournament outright, Rai ultimately triumphed in the play-off.
Fleetwood had briefly taken a one-shot lead with a birdie on the 16th but ended with a six-under 66, settling for second place.
Player Comments and Other Highlights
"This is a huge event. This is one of the biggest events we have on the DP World Tour. To win this week, to have a chance going into the weekend, is great. Still a long way to go and a lot of really good players. Yeah, we'll give it our best and see how it comes." — Aaron Rai
Ranked world number 30 and winner of last year’s Wyndham Championship, Rai demonstrated strong composure under pressure.
Notable Performances
- Tommy Fleetwood recorded an eagle and three birdies in a flawless 67.
- Nicolai Hojgaard carded a 65 featuring eight birdies and one bogey.
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Summary: Aaron Rai won the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in a play-off against Tommy Fleetwood, showcasing skill and calm under pressure to earn a notable Rolex Series victory.