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Aaron Rai displayed remarkable nerve to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, defeating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off following a topsy-turvy final round of competition.

Rai nailed a decisive birdie putt from just over eight feet to clinch the win, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a playoff win over Fleetwood.

Final Round Drama

The champion entered the last day with a one-shot advantage over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, 67 final round that featured seven birdies and two bogeys.

The challenger edged a stroke ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the sixteenth, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the last green.

Playoff Climax

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

{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even more individual. To compete alongside him the last two days was really special,” said Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so focused on your game and staying in the zone, it’s hard to describe at the moment how it feels. It is incredible to be stood here.”

Notable Contenders

The Northern Irish star left himself a bit too far to do, finishing a stroke behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 10-under closing round of 62. It was his best-ever round on the DP World Tour, including eight birdies and an eagle.

Højgaard carded six birdies of his as well, but his hopes of topping the standings were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell hit an superb last round 63 to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Hillier.