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The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated exceptional nerve to claim the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, beating his compatriot in a tense play-off after a rollercoaster last day of play.

Rai sank a decisive birdie putt from around eight feet to seal the win, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a playoff win over Fleetwood.

Sunday's Play Excitement

Rai entered the last day with a single stroke lead over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He finished with a overall score of 263 after a up-and-down, 67 final round that included seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.

The challenger moved a stroke ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the last green.

Play-Off Climax

This led to a playoff at the Yas Links course where the eventual winner prevailed to claim the title and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in winnings.

{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even better individual. To compete alongside him the last two days was truly memorable,” stated Rai, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the present how it feels. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”

Other Contenders

The Northern Irish star found himself a bit too far to make up, finishing one shot behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a stunning 10-under final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the DP World Tour, including eight birdies and an eagle.

The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his as well, but his hopes of topping the standings were dented by a bogey on the 12th. English golfer Richard Mansell hit an excellent final-round 63 to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.