🔗 Share this article The English golfer Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Dramatic Play-Off Battle Versus Fellow Englishman Fleetwood Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional composure to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, defeating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off following a rollercoaster last day of competition. Rai nailed a decisive birdie putt from just over eight foot to clinch the victory, echoing his sole prior tournament success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off victory over the same opponent. Sunday's Play Excitement The champion started the final round with a single stroke advantage over countryman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, 67 final round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys. The challenger edged a stroke ahead with two holes to play after a birdie putt on the 16th, but Rai tied it up again on the 17th and then missed a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final hole. Playoff Climax That set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where Rai prevailed to claim the title and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in prize money. {“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even better individual. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said Rai, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s hard to describe at the present how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.” Other Performances Rory McIlroy left himself just too much to do, finishing one shot behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a spectacular 62 closing round of 62. It was his lowest-ever score on the European Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle. The Danish golfer carded six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the 12th. England’s Mansell hit an superb final-round 63 to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.