🔗 Share this article The English golfer Wins Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Against Fellow Englishman Fleetwood Aaron Rai demonstrated remarkable composure to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic play-off following a rollercoaster last day of competition. Rai sank a decisive birdie putt from just over eight foot to clinch the victory, echoing his only previous tournament success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a playoff victory over the same opponent. Sunday's Play Drama Rai entered the last day with a single stroke lead over countryman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, 67 closing round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys. The challenger edged one shot 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 missed a ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the last green. Play-Off Decider This set up a playoff at Yas Links where the eventual winner prevailed to take the title and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in winnings. {“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even more person. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said Rai, the current world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, 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 left himself just too much to do, coming up one shot short in a tie for third with the Dane, after a spectacular 62 final round of 62. It was his best-ever score on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and an eagle. Højgaard carded six birdies of his own, but his hopes of topping the standings were dented by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Richard Mansell produced an superb final-round 63 to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Hillier.