ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Aaron Rai birdied the first hole of the playoff to beat Tommy Fleetwood and win his first European Tour title in five years at the Abu Dhabi Championship on Sunday.
The two were competing for a playoff spot at the European Tour’s 2020 Scottish Open, which Rai also won.
Fleetwood’s birdie attempt failed, leaving Rye with a chance for the winning birdie on the par-5 18th. He suppressed his nervousness and tilted his head back in relief, then hugged his fellow Englishman Fleetwood, who patted him warmly on the chest.
“It’s hard to put into words how I feel at the moment,” Lai, 30, said. “It feels great to be standing here.”
Rye entered the final round with a one-shot lead, but Fleetwood forced a playoff at Yas Links with both players tied at 25 under.
Dane Nicolai Hojgaard and No. 2 Rory McIlroy – who have led the Race to Dubai rankings all season – had a hard-fought finish with a one-shot difference. McIlroy fell just short after an impressive final round of 62 that included one eagle and eight birdies.
Fleetwood won the tournament in 2017 and 2018, which was held at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. He tied for second place with Hodgegaard overnight.
