🔗 Share this article The English golfer Secures the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Playoff Battle Versus Fellow Englishman Fleetwood Aaron Rai displayed exceptional nerve to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, defeating his compatriot in a tense play-off after a topsy-turvy final round of competition. Rai sank a decisive birdie putt from around eight feet to clinch the victory, repeating his only previous Rolex Series success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a play-off victory over the same opponent. Sunday's Play Excitement Rai started the final round with a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a total score of twenty-under after a topsy-turvy, 67 closing round that featured seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys. Fleetwood edged a stroke ahead with two holes remaining after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the last green. Play-Off Decider That set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner prevailed to claim the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in prize money. {“Tommy is a world-class player and an even more person. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was really special,” said Rai, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to describe at the moment how it is. It is incredible to be stood here.” Notable Contenders Rory McIlroy left himself just too much to do, coming up one shot short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under final round of 62. It was his lowest-ever score on the European Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and an eagle. Højgaard carded six birdies of his own, but his chances of leading the leaderboard were dented by a bogey on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell produced an superb last round 63 to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.