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The 30-year-old golfer displayed exceptional nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off following a rollercoaster last day of play.

Rai sank a decisive birdie putt from just over eight foot to clinch the victory, echoing his sole prior tournament triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a playoff win over Fleetwood.

Sunday's Play Excitement

The champion entered the final round with a single stroke lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, five-under final round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys.

Fleetwood moved a stroke clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but his rival tied it up again on the 17th and then missed a 10-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the last green.

Play-Off Decider

This set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner prevailed to take the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in winnings.

{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even better individual. To compete alongside him the last two days was truly memorable,” stated the winner, the current world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s hard to put into words at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”

Other Performances

The Northern Irish star found himself just too much to do, coming up a stroke short in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a stunning 62 final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever score on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle.

Højgaard fired six birdies of his as well, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Richard Mansell hit an excellent last round seven-under to end up tied for fifth with Australian Daniel Hillier.