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The 30-year-old golfer displayed exceptional composure to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic playoff following a rollercoaster final round of play.

The Englishman nailed a crucial birdie putt from around eight feet to seal the victory, echoing his only previous Rolex Series triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a play-off victory over the same opponent.

Sunday's Play Drama

Rai entered the final round with a single stroke lead over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, 67 final round that included seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.

Fleetwood edged a stroke clear with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie on the sixteenth, but his rival tied it up again on the 17th and then missed a 10-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the last green.

Play-Off Decider

That set up a play-off at Yas Links where the eventual winner prevailed to take the championship and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings.

{“Tommy is a world-class golfer and an even better individual. 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 staying in the zone, it’s difficult to describe at the present how it is. It is amazing to be stood here.”

Notable Contenders

Rory McIlroy left himself just too much to make up, coming up a stroke behind in a shared third place with the Dane, after a stunning 62 final round of ten-under. It was his best-ever score on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and one eagle.

The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his as well, but his chances of leading the standings were dented by a bogey on the 12th. England’s Richard Mansell produced an excellent last round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australian Hillier.