Aaron Rai and Tommy Fleetwood might be again in motion subsequent week after they battle it out for the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai
Aaron Rai edged out Tommy Fleetwood to win the Abu Dhabi Championship (Picture: Getty)
Aaron Rai and Tommy Fleetwood went toe-to-toe in Abu Dhabi (Picture: Getty)
Aaron Rai showered Tommy Fleetwood with reward after defeating his fellow countryman in a play-off to win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. Rai produced a seven-foot birdie putt to clinch the victory after Fleetwood solely managed to hit par.
The duo went head-to-head after ending prime of the leaderboard on 25 underneath for the event. Rai virtually waltzed away victorious in regulation, however his birdie putt on the 18th missed the sting of the opening.
Rory McIlroy narrowly missed out on the play-off after an excellent final-round 62, which was his better of the DP World Tour this season. Nicolai Højgaard additionally completed on 24 underneath, squandering an eagle likelihood on the loss of life.
Rai confirmed his true colors after profitable the European Tour. Talking to Sky Sports activities, the 30-year-old described his opponent, Fleetwood, as a ‘phenomenal participant’ and ‘even higher individual’.
“It’s laborious to sum up [my emotions],” mentioned Rai. “I feel I used to be simply so targeted on enjoying the spherical and clearly simply making an attempt to remain in your zone. It’s laborious to place into phrases for the time being how this feels or how I’m going to replicate on it, however simply wonderful to be stood right here.
“Clearly, Tommy’s an exceptional participant; he is a good higher individual than he’s a participant, and that claims so much. To play with him the final two days and to be on the market with him was actually particular as effectively. So, wonderful to be right here.”
On the par-five second, Fleetwood stole the lead with a birdie. On coming from behind to win, Rai mentioned: “My caddie, Jason, was nice, strolling down the fifteenth as a result of it was just a little little bit of a shock to the system on 14, lacking a brief putt there.
“However he was nice. Simply telling me to remain current and give attention to enjoying the following shot and making an attempt to complete robust. Made a extremely good up and down on 15, which actually helped.
“I made a pleasant putt there, which actually gave me just a little little bit of confidence going forwards, in order that was an necessary second. It was good to complete off fairly robust over the past three holes, as effectively.”
The DP World Tour Championship in Dubai will drop the curtain on the DP World Tour Play-Offs. The likes of McIlroy, Rai, and Fleetwood have a couple of days to recharge their batteries earlier than they’re again in motion for the year-ending showdown.
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From Thursday, November 13, to Sunday, November 16, the world’s finest golfers will lock horns at Jumeirah Golf Estates. In the direction of the top of McIlroy’s return to Yas Hyperlinks, he started preparation for his journey to Dubai.
The Northern Irishman mentioned: “I simply tried to maintain my foot down and make as many birdies as attainable, understanding that I am making an attempt to win this event but in addition give myself the largest cushion attainable going into Dubai subsequent week, as effectively.”
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