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Aaron Rai displayed remarkable composure to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off after a topsy-turvy final round of play.

Rai sank a decisive birdie putt from just over eight foot to clinch the victory, echoing his sole prior Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a playoff victory against Fleetwood.

Final Round Excitement

Rai entered the final round with a single stroke lead over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, 67 closing round that featured 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 his rival tied it up again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the last hole.

Playoff Decider

This led to a play-off at Yas Links where Rai triumphed to claim the title and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in prize money.

{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even better individual. To play with him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said Rai, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s hard to put into words at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be stood here.”

Notable Performances

Rory McIlroy found himself a bit too far to make up, coming up one shot behind in a tie for third with the Dane, after a stunning 10-under closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever round on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle.

Højgaard carded six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of leading the standings were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Richard Mansell produced an excellent last round 63 to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australian Hillier.