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Aaron Rai displayed remarkable nerve to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic play-off after a topsy-turvy final round of play.

Rai nailed a crucial birdie putt from around eight foot to seal the victory, repeating his sole prior tournament success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a playoff victory over the same opponent.

Final Round Excitement

The champion started the last day with a single stroke lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, five-under closing round that featured seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.

The challenger moved one shot clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but his rival tied it up again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the last green.

Play-Off Climax

That set up a playoff at Yas Links where Rai triumphed to take the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.

{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even better individual. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” stated Rai, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to put into words at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”

Notable Performances

Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to do, coming up a stroke behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 10-under closing round of ten-under. It was his best-ever round on the European Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and one eagle.

Højgaard fired six birdie putts of his as well, but his chances of topping the standings were hit by a bogey on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell hit an excellent last round seven-under to finish tied for fifth with Australian Daniel Hillier.