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The 30-year-old golfer displayed remarkable composure to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic play-off following a topsy-turvy final round of competition.

The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie putt from around eight feet to clinch the victory, echoing his only previous Rolex Series success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a play-off victory over the same opponent.

Final Round Excitement

The champion entered the final round with a single stroke advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, five-under closing round that featured seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.

The challenger edged one shot ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie on the sixteenth, but his rival tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the final green.

Play-Off Climax

That set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where Rai triumphed to take the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in prize money.

{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even better individual. To play with him the last two days was really special,” said Rai, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so focused on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s hard to describe at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”

Notable Contenders

The Northern Irish star found himself just too much to make up, finishing one shot behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 10-under closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle.

Højgaard fired six birdie putts of his own, but his chances of leading the standings were hit by a bogey on the 12th. England’s Mansell produced an superb last round 63 to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.