🔗 Share this article Aaron Rai Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Playoff Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated exceptional nerve to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, beating his compatriot in a dramatic playoff after a topsy-turvy final round of play. The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie from just over eight foot to seal the win, repeating his sole prior tournament triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a playoff victory against Fleetwood. Sunday's Play Excitement The champion entered the last day with a one-shot advantage over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under final round that included seven birdies and two bogeys. Fleetwood edged a stroke clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the 16th, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the last hole. Playoff Decider This set up a play-off at Yas Links where the eventual winner triumphed to claim the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings. {“Tommy is a world-class player and an even more individual. To play with him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so focused on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to describe at the moment how it feels. It is incredible to be stood here.” Other Performances The Northern Irish star left himself just too much to make up, coming up one shot behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 final round of 62. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever score on the European Tour, including eight birdies and one eagle. The Danish golfer carded six birdie putts of his own, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the 12th. English golfer Richard Mansell produced an excellent final-round seven-under to finish tied for fifth with Australian Daniel Hillier.