🔗 Share this article

Aaron Rai displayed remarkable composure to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, beating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off following a rollercoaster last day of competition.

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

Final Round Excitement

The champion entered the last day with a single stroke advantage over countryman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, five-under final round that featured seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.

Fleetwood moved one shot ahead with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie putt on the 16th, but his rival pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final hole.

Playoff Climax

That set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner prevailed to take the title and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in winnings.

{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even better individual. To play with him the final two rounds was really special,” said the winner, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on playing the round 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 Performances

Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to make up, coming up one shot short in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever score on the DP World Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle.

The Danish golfer fired six birdie putts of his as well, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the 12th. English golfer Richard Mansell produced an superb last round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Hillier.