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The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated remarkable nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense playoff following a topsy-turvy final round of play.

The Englishman nailed a crucial birdie putt from just over eight foot to seal the win, repeating his sole prior tournament success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a play-off win against Fleetwood.

Sunday's Play Drama

Rai entered the last day with a one-shot advantage over countryman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that included seven birdies and two bogeys.

Fleetwood edged a stroke clear with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie on the 16th, but Rai tied it up again on the 17th and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the final hole.

Play-Off Climax

This set up a playoff at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner triumphed to take the title and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in prize money.

{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even more individual. To play with him the final two rounds was really special,” stated the winner, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to put into words at the present how it is. It is incredible to be stood here.”

Other Performances

The Northern Irish star left himself a bit too far to do, coming up a stroke behind in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 62 final round of 62. It was McIlroy’s best-ever round on the DP World Tour, including eight birdies and an eagle.

Højgaard carded six birdies of his own, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the twelfth. England’s Mansell produced an excellent last round 63 to end up tied for fifth with Australian Daniel Hillier.