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The 30-year-old golfer displayed exceptional nerve to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic playoff following a topsy-turvy last day of competition.

The Englishman sank a crucial birdie putt from around eight feet to clinch the victory, repeating his only previous Rolex Series triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off win against Fleetwood.

Sunday's Play Drama

The champion started the final round with a single stroke lead over countryman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, five-under final round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys.

The challenger moved one shot ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level again on the 17th and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the last hole.

Playoff Decider

This led to a playoff at the Yas Links course where Rai triumphed to claim the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in winnings.

{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even more person. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was really special,” said the winner, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s hard to describe at the present how it is. It is incredible to be stood here.”

Notable Contenders

The Northern Irish star left himself just too much to do, finishing a stroke behind in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 closing round of 62. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever score on the DP World Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle.

Højgaard carded six birdie putts of his own, but his chances of leading the standings were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Richard Mansell hit an excellent final-round 63 to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Hillier.