🔗 Share this article The English golfer Secures Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship in Thrilling Play-Off Showdown Versus Fellow Englishman Fleetwood Aaron Rai demonstrated remarkable nerve to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, defeating his compatriot in a dramatic playoff following a topsy-turvy final round of competition. The Englishman sank a crucial birdie putt from just over eight feet to clinch the win, echoing his sole prior Rolex Series success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a play-off win over the same opponent. Sunday's Play Drama The champion entered the final round with a single stroke lead over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that featured seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys. The challenger moved one shot ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie on the 16th, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the last green. Play-Off Decider This set up a playoff at Yas Links where Rai triumphed to take the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings. {“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even better person. To play with him the final two rounds was really special,” said Rai, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on your game and staying in the zone, it’s hard to describe at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.” Notable Contenders The Northern Irish star found himself just too much to make up, coming up a stroke short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 62 closing round of 62. It was his best-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdie putts and an eagle. The Danish golfer carded six birdie putts of his as well, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were hit by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Richard Mansell produced an excellent final-round 63 to end up tied for fifth with Australia’s Hillier.