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The 30-year-old golfer displayed remarkable nerve to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off following a topsy-turvy last day of competition.

The Englishman nailed a crucial birdie from just over eight foot to seal the victory, echoing his sole prior Rolex Series success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a playoff victory over the same opponent.

Sunday's Play Excitement

The champion entered the last day with a single stroke lead over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, 67 final round that featured seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.

The challenger moved a stroke clear with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie putt on the 16th, but his rival tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the last green.

Playoff Decider

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

{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even better individual. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” stated Rai, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s hard to describe at the present how it feels. It is incredible to be stood here.”

Other Performances

Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to do, finishing one shot short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 closing round of ten-under. It was his lowest-ever round on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and an eagle.

The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his as well, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell produced an superb final-round seven-under to finish tied for fifth with Australian Daniel Hillier.