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Aaron Rai displayed remarkable composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic playoff after a topsy-turvy last day of play.

The Englishman nailed a crucial birdie putt from around eight feet to seal the victory, echoing his sole prior Rolex Series success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a playoff win against Fleetwood.

Sunday's Play Excitement

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

Fleetwood edged a stroke clear with two holes to play after a birdie on the 16th, but his rival pulled level again on the 17th and then missed a 10-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the last green.

Playoff Decider

This set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner prevailed to take the championship and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.

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

Notable Contenders

Rory McIlroy found himself just too much to do, coming up one shot short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under closing round of 62. It was McIlroy’s best-ever round on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle.

The Danish golfer carded six birdie putts of his own, but his chances of leading the standings were dented by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Richard Mansell hit an superb last round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australian Hillier.