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The 30-year-old golfer displayed remarkable composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off following a rollercoaster final round of play.

The Englishman sank a decisive birdie from around eight feet to clinch the victory, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a play-off win over the same opponent.

Final Round Excitement

The champion started the last day with a single stroke lead over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, 67 closing round that featured seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.

The challenger edged one shot clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the 17th and then missed a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the last green.

Play-Off Climax

This set up a playoff at the Yas Links course where Rai prevailed to claim the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in prize money.

{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even better person. To play with him the final two rounds was really special,” stated the winner, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s hard to put into words at the present how it is. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”

Other Performances

The Northern Irish star found himself just too much to do, finishing a stroke behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 final round of 62. It was his best-ever round on the DP World Tour, including eight birdies and an eagle.

Højgaard fired six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of topping the standings were hit by a bogey on the twelfth. English golfer Richard Mansell hit an excellent last round seven-under to finish tied for fifth with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.