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The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated remarkable nerve to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off after a topsy-turvy final round of play.

The Englishman nailed a decisive birdie putt from around eight feet to seal the win, repeating his only previous tournament triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a play-off victory against Fleetwood.

Sunday's Play Drama

The champion entered the final round with a one-shot lead over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, 67 closing round that featured seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.

Fleetwood moved a stroke clear with two holes to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the last green.

Playoff Climax

This led to a playoff at Yas Links where the eventual winner triumphed to claim the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings.

{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even more person. To play with him the final two rounds was really special,” said the winner, the current world No 30. “You’re so focused on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s hard to put into words at the present how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”

Notable Contenders

Rory McIlroy left himself just too much to do, finishing a stroke behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the DP World Tour, including eight birdies and an eagle.

The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his as well, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were hit by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Richard Mansell produced an superb last round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Hillier.