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The 30-year-old golfer displayed remarkable nerve to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off following a topsy-turvy final round of play.

The Englishman sank a crucial birdie putt from just over eight feet to seal the win, repeating his sole prior tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off victory over Fleetwood.

Final Round Excitement

The champion entered the final round with a single stroke lead over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that featured seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.

The challenger moved one shot ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the 16th, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then missed a 10-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final hole.

Playoff Climax

That set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner prevailed to take the title and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in prize money.

{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even more individual. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and maintaining focus, it’s hard to put into words at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be stood here.”

Notable Performances

Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to do, coming up one shot behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under final round of 62. It was his lowest-ever score on the European Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and one eagle.

Højgaard fired six birdies of his own, but his hopes of topping the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell hit an superb final-round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Hillier.