🔗 Share this article

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

The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie putt from around eight foot to clinch the victory, repeating his only previous Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a play-off win against the same opponent.

Sunday's Play Excitement

The champion entered the last day with a one-shot advantage over countryman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, 67 final round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys.

The challenger edged a stroke clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the 16th, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final green.

Play-Off Decider

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

{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even better individual. To compete alongside him the last two days was truly memorable,” said Rai, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the present how it is. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”

Other Performances

Rory McIlroy left himself just too much to make up, coming up one shot behind in a tie for third with the Dane, after a spectacular 10-under final round of ten-under. It was his lowest-ever score on the European Tour, including eight birdies and one eagle.

The Danish golfer fired six birdie putts of his own, but his chances of topping the standings were dented by a bogey on the 12th. England’s Mansell hit an superb final-round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.