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Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional nerve to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, defeating his compatriot in a dramatic playoff after a rollercoaster final round of play.

Rai nailed a crucial birdie putt from around eight feet to seal the victory, echoing his sole prior tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a playoff win against the same opponent.

Sunday's Play Drama

The champion entered the final round with a single stroke lead over countryman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, five-under final round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys.

The challenger moved a stroke ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie putt on the 16th, but Rai tied it up again on the 17th and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie attempt to win outright on the last hole.

Playoff Climax

That set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where Rai triumphed to claim the title and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in winnings.

{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even more individual. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was really special,” stated Rai, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s hard to put into words at the moment how it is. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”

Notable Performances

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

The Danish golfer fired six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were hit by a bogey on the 12th. England’s Mansell produced an excellent final-round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.