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Aaron Rai demonstrated remarkable composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off after a topsy-turvy last day of competition.

Rai sank a crucial birdie from around eight feet to seal the victory, repeating his only previous Rolex Series triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off victory against the same opponent.

Sunday's Play Excitement

Rai started the last day with a single stroke advantage over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He finished with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, 67 final round that included seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.

The challenger moved one shot ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie on the sixteenth, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the final hole.

Playoff Decider

This set up a play-off at Yas Links where the eventual winner prevailed to claim the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in winnings.

{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even more individual. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” said the winner, the current 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the moment how it feels. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”

Notable Contenders

The Northern Irish star found himself a bit too far to do, finishing a stroke behind in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 62 closing round of ten-under. It was his best-ever round on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle.

Højgaard carded six birdies of his as well, but his chances of leading the standings were hit by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Mansell produced an superb final-round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Hillier.