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The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated exceptional composure to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic play-off after a rollercoaster final round of play.

Rai nailed a crucial birdie from just over eight foot to clinch the victory, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a play-off victory against Fleetwood.

Sunday's Play Drama

The champion entered the final round with a single stroke lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under final round that included seven birdies and two bogeys.

Fleetwood moved one shot clear with two holes to play after a birdie putt on the 16th, but his rival tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the final hole.

Playoff Climax

This led to a playoff at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner triumphed to claim the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in prize money.

{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even better person. To compete alongside him the last two days was really special,” said the winner, the current 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 feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”

Notable Performances

Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to do, coming up one shot behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a spectacular 62 final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdies and an eagle.

Højgaard fired six birdies of his own, but his hopes of topping the standings were hit by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Mansell produced an excellent last round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.