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Aaron Rai demonstrated remarkable composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, defeating his compatriot in a tense play-off following a topsy-turvy final round of play.

The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie putt from around eight feet to seal the win, echoing his only previous Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a play-off victory over the same opponent.

Final Round Drama

Rai entered the last day with a one-shot advantage over countryman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, 67 closing round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys.

The challenger moved a stroke ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie putt on the 16th, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final hole.

Playoff Climax

That led to a playoff at Yas Links where the eventual winner triumphed to claim the title and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in prize money.

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

Other Performances

Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to do, finishing a stroke behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a spectacular 62 closing round of 62. It was McIlroy’s best-ever score on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and one eagle.

The Danish golfer fired six birdies of his own, but his chances of leading the leaderboard were hit by a bogey on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell hit an superb final-round seven-under to finish tied for fifth with Australian Daniel Hillier.