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Aaron Rai displayed remarkable nerve to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic playoff after a rollercoaster final round of play.

Rai nailed a crucial birdie from around eight feet to clinch the victory, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a playoff victory against Fleetwood.

Final Round Excitement

Rai started the last day with a single stroke lead over countryman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of 263 after a up-and-down, 67 closing round that featured seven birdies and two bogeys.

Fleetwood edged a stroke clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the 17th and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final green.

Play-Off Climax

This set up a play-off at Yas Links where Rai triumphed to claim the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in prize money.

{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even more person. To compete alongside him the last two days was truly memorable,” stated the winner, the present world No 30. “You’re so focused on your game and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to describe at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”

Notable Contenders

Rory McIlroy found himself just too much to make up, finishing a stroke behind in a tie for third with the Dane, after a stunning 62 final round of 62. It was his best-ever score on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and one eagle.

Højgaard fired six birdie putts of his as well, but his hopes of topping the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Richard Mansell produced an superb last round 63 to end up tied for fifth with Australian Daniel Hillier.