🔗 Share this article

Aaron Rai displayed remarkable composure to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense playoff after a rollercoaster final round of competition.

The Englishman sank a decisive birdie putt from just over eight feet to clinch the win, repeating his only previous tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a playoff victory against the same opponent.

Final Round Drama

Rai started the last day with a single stroke lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, 67 closing round that featured seven birdies and two bogeys.

Fleetwood edged a stroke clear with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level again on the 17th and then missed a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final green.

Playoff Climax

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

{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even more person. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” said the winner, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the present how it feels. It is incredible to be stood here.”

Notable Contenders

The Northern Irish star found himself a bit too far to make up, coming up one shot short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 final round of 62. It was his best-ever score on the DP World Tour, including eight birdie putts and an eagle.

The Danish golfer fired six birdie putts of his own, but his chances of leading the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the twelfth. England’s Mansell hit an excellent last round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Hillier.