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Aaron Rai displayed exceptional nerve to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off after a rollercoaster last day of play.

The Englishman sank a crucial birdie putt from just over eight feet to seal the win, repeating his sole prior tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a play-off victory against Fleetwood.

Sunday's Play Excitement

Rai started the final round with a single stroke advantage over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under final round that featured seven birdie putts and two bogeys.

Fleetwood edged one shot clear with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the final green.

Play-Off Climax

That led to a playoff at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to claim the championship and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings.

{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even more individual. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” said Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s hard to put into words at the moment how it is. It is incredible to be stood here.”

Notable Contenders

The Northern Irish star found himself a bit too far to make up, finishing a stroke behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a spectacular 62 closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever score on the European Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and one eagle.

Højgaard carded six birdies of his own, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Mansell hit an excellent last round 63 to finish tied for fifth with Australia’s Hillier.