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Aaron Rai displayed remarkable nerve to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic play-off after a rollercoaster last day of play.

Rai nailed a crucial birdie putt from just over eight foot to clinch the win, echoing his only previous tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a playoff victory over the same opponent.

Sunday's Play Excitement

Rai entered the final round with a single stroke advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, 67 final round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys.

Fleetwood moved one shot ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie on the sixteenth, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the last hole.

Play-Off Climax

This set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where Rai triumphed to claim the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in winnings.

{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even more individual. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” stated the winner, the current world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to describe at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”

Other Performances

The Northern Irish star left himself a bit too far to do, coming up a stroke short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever score on the European Tour, comprising eight birdies and an eagle.

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