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The 30-year-old golfer displayed exceptional composure to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating his compatriot in a tense play-off following a rollercoaster final round of play.

The Englishman sank a decisive birdie putt from just over eight feet to seal the victory, repeating his sole prior tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was also a play-off victory against the same opponent.

Final Round Drama

Rai entered the last day with a one-shot lead over countryman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under final round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys.

The challenger moved one shot clear with two holes remaining after a birdie on the 16th, but Rai pulled level again on the 17th and then missed a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the last hole.

Playoff Climax

That led to a playoff at Yas Links where the eventual winner triumphed to take the championship and $1.5m (£1.13 million) in prize money.

{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even more individual. To play with him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” stated Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so focused on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s hard to put into words at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be stood here.”

Other Contenders

The Northern Irish star left himself a bit too far to do, coming up one shot behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a stunning 62 final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever round on the DP World Tour, including eight birdies and one eagle.

The Danish golfer fired six birdies of his own, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the twelfth. England’s Mansell produced an excellent final-round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.