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. Rai, 30, made a decisive birdie from just over eight feet, replicating his previous Rolex Series triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, also won in a play-off against Fleetwood.
Final Round Highlights
Rai entered the last round with a one-shot lead over Fleetwood and Nicolai Hojgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a challenging five-under final round, including seven birdies and two bogeys. Rai missed a 10-foot putt on the final hole that would have won the tournament outright, allowing Fleetwood, who had briefly taken the lead after a birdie on the 16th, to force the play-off by shooting a six-under 66.
Player Comments
"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."
Rai, currently ranked 30th in the world and last year's Wyndham Championship winner, highlighted the significance of the tournament before the final round.
Other Contenders' Performances
- Tommy Fleetwood recorded an eagle and three birdies on his flawless 67.
- Nicolai Hojgaard shot a 65 with eight birdies and one bogey.
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Summary: Aaron Rai defended his composure to claim the Abu Dhabi title in a thrilling play-off against Tommy Fleetwood, underscoring his rising stature on the DP World Tour.
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