🔗 Share this article

Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional composure to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense playoff after a topsy-turvy last day of competition.

The Englishman sank a decisive birdie putt from around eight feet to seal the win, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a playoff win against the same opponent.

Sunday's Play Excitement

Rai started the last day with a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, five-under closing round that included seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.

The challenger moved a stroke ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the last hole.

Play-Off Decider

This set up a playoff at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner triumphed to claim the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money.

{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even better person. To play with him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” said the winner, the present world No 30. “You’re so focused on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to describe at the present how it is. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”

Notable Performances

The Northern Irish star found himself a bit too far to do, coming up a stroke short in a shared third place with the Dane, after a stunning 10-under final round of 62. It was his best-ever score on the European Tour, comprising eight birdies and an eagle.

The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his own, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the twelfth. England’s Richard Mansell produced an excellent last round 63 to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.