Aaron Rai displayed exceptional nerve to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, defeating his compatriot in a tense playoff following a rollercoaster last day of play.
Rai nailed a crucial birdie from around eight foot to seal the win, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series success at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a playoff victory over Fleetwood.
The champion entered the last day with a single stroke 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.
The challenger moved one shot ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the 16th, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then missed a 10-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the final hole.
This set up a playoff at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner triumphed to claim the title and $1.5m (ÂŁ1.13m) in winnings.
{âTommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even more person. To play with him the last two days was really special,â stated Rai, the present 30th-ranked player globally. âYouâre so focused on your game and staying in the zone, itâs hard to put into words at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be stood here.â
The Northern Irish star left himself a bit too far to make up, coming up one shot behind in a tie for third with the Dane, after a spectacular 62 final round of ten-under. It was his best-ever round on the DP World Tour, including eight birdie putts and one eagle.
The Danish golfer fired six birdies of his own, but his hopes of topping the standings were hit by a dropped shot on the twelfth. Englandâs Richard Mansell hit an superb final-round 63 to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australiaâs Hillier.
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