🔗 Share this article The English golfer Secures the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Play-Off Showdown Against Tommy Fleetwood Aaron Rai demonstrated exceptional nerve to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off after a topsy-turvy last day of competition. Rai sank a decisive birdie from just over eight feet to seal the win, echoing his only previous tournament triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a playoff win against the same opponent. Sunday's Play Excitement Rai entered the final round with a one-shot advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, five-under closing round that included seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys. Fleetwood edged one shot ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the 16th, but his rival tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the final green. Play-Off Climax This led to a playoff at Yas Links where the eventual winner triumphed to take the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13m) in prize money. {“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even better person. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” said Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s hard to put into words at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be stood here.” Other Performances Rory McIlroy left himself just too much to do, finishing a stroke short in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdie putts and an eagle. Højgaard fired six birdies of his as well, but his hopes of topping the standings were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Mansell produced an excellent final-round 63 to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.