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The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated remarkable composure to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating his compatriot in a dramatic playoff after a rollercoaster final round of competition.

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

Sunday's Play Drama

The champion entered the last day with a one-shot lead over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under final round that featured seven birdies and two bogeys.

The challenger moved one shot ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie putt on the 16th, but Rai pulled level again on the 17th and then missed a ten-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the final green.

Play-Off Decider

That led to a play-off at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner prevailed to claim the championship and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.

{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even better individual. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said Rai, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to put into words at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”

Notable Performances

Rory McIlroy found himself just too much to do, finishing a stroke short in a shared third place with the Dane, after a spectacular 62 final round of ten-under. It was his best-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. England’s Richard Mansell hit an superb last round seven-under to finish tied for fifth with Australian Daniel Hillier.