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Aaron Rai displayed exceptional composure to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off after a rollercoaster final round of competition.

The Englishman nailed a crucial birdie from around eight foot to seal the win, echoing his sole prior tournament success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off win against the same opponent.

Sunday's Play Excitement

The champion started the final round with a single stroke lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, 67 closing round that featured seven birdies and two bogeys.

Fleetwood moved one shot clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the final hole.

Playoff Climax

This led to a playoff at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner prevailed to claim the championship and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in winnings.

{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even more person. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was really special,” said Rai, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to describe at the moment how it feels. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”

Other Performances

Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to make up, coming up one shot behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a spectacular 62 final round of ten-under. It was his best-ever round on the DP World Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle.

The Danish golfer fired six birdie putts of his as well, but his chances of leading the standings were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Richard Mansell produced an superb last round seven-under to finish tied for fifth with Australia’s Hillier.