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The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated remarkable composure to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense playoff following a topsy-turvy final round of competition.

Rai sank a crucial birdie putt from just over eight feet to seal the victory, echoing his sole prior Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a playoff victory against the same opponent.

Sunday's Play Drama

Rai started the final round with a single stroke advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, five-under closing round that featured seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.

Fleetwood moved one shot ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie on the 16th, but his rival pulled level again on the seventeenth and then missed a 10-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the final hole.

Playoff Decider

This set up a playoff at Yas Links where Rai prevailed to take the title and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in prize money.

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

Other Contenders

The Northern Irish star left himself a bit too far to make up, finishing one shot short in a shared third place with the Dane, after a stunning 10-under final round of ten-under. It was his lowest-ever score on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and an eagle.

The Danish golfer fired six birdie putts of his own, but his chances of leading the standings were hit by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Mansell hit an excellent final-round 63 to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.