🔗 Share this article

Aaron Rai displayed exceptional composure to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense playoff following a rollercoaster last day of play.

The Englishman sank a decisive birdie from around eight foot to clinch the victory, repeating his sole prior tournament success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a playoff win against the same opponent.

Final Round Drama

Rai started the last day with a single stroke advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, five-under final round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys.

The challenger edged one shot ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level 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 led to a play-off at Yas Links where the eventual winner triumphed to claim the title and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in winnings.

{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even more individual. To play with him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said Rai, the current world No 30. “You’re so focused on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to put into words at the present how it feels. It is amazing to be stood here.”

Notable Performances

The Northern Irish star left himself just too much to make up, coming up one shot short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a spectacular 10-under closing round of ten-under. It was his lowest-ever round on the DP World Tour, including eight birdie putts and an eagle.

The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his own, but his hopes of topping the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. English golfer Richard Mansell produced an superb final-round seven-under to end up tied for fifth with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.