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The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated remarkable composure to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic play-off after a topsy-turvy last day of play.

Rai nailed a crucial birdie putt from around eight feet to clinch the victory, echoing his only previous tournament success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off victory over Fleetwood.

Final Round Drama

The champion entered the last day with a single stroke lead over countryman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, 67 closing round that featured seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.

Fleetwood edged one shot ahead with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but his rival tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the last hole.

Play-Off Climax

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

{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even more person. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” stated the winner, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the present how it is. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”

Notable Performances

The Northern Irish star 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 closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdies and one eagle.

Højgaard fired six birdies of his as well, but his chances of leading the standings were dented by a bogey on the 12th. England’s Mansell hit an excellent last round 63 to end up tied for fifth with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.