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The 30-year-old golfer displayed exceptional composure to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, beating his compatriot in a tense play-off after a topsy-turvy final round of play.

Rai sank a crucial birdie from around eight feet to seal the victory, echoing his sole prior Rolex Series triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a playoff victory over the same opponent.

Final Round Excitement

Rai started the final round with a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, 67 closing round that featured seven birdie putts and two bogeys.

Fleetwood moved a stroke ahead with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie on the 16th, but his rival tied it up again on the 17th and then missed a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final hole.

Play-Off Climax

This set up a playoff at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to take the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.

{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even better individual. To play with him the final two rounds was really special,” said the winner, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”

Notable Performances

Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to do, finishing a stroke behind in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under final round of 62. It was McIlroy’s best-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdies and one eagle.

The Danish golfer carded six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of leading the standings were dented by a bogey on the twelfth. English golfer Richard Mansell produced an excellent final-round 63 to finish tied for fifth with Australian Daniel Hillier.