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The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated exceptional composure to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, beating his compatriot in a tense playoff following a rollercoaster last day of competition.

Rai nailed a decisive birdie putt from just over eight feet to clinch the victory, repeating his only previous Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a play-off win over the same opponent.

Final Round Drama

The champion started the last day with a one-shot lead over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, five-under closing round that featured seven birdie putts and two bogeys.

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

Play-Off Decider

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

{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even better person. To compete alongside him the last two days was truly memorable,” stated the winner, the current world No 30. “You’re so focused on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s hard to describe at the present how it is. It is incredible to be stood here.”

Other Performances

Rory McIlroy found himself just too much to make up, coming up one shot behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a stunning 62 closing round of 62. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle.

Højgaard carded six birdies of his as well, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Mansell hit an superb last round 63 to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.