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The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated remarkable composure to secure the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic playoff after a rollercoaster last day of play.

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

Final Round Excitement

Rai started the last day with a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, 67 closing round that featured seven birdies and a pair of bogeys.

Fleetwood edged a stroke ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the sixteenth, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a ten-foot birdie attempt to claim victory on the last hole.

Play-Off Climax

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

{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even better individual. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” said the winner, the present 30th-ranked player globally. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the present how it feels. It is incredible to be stood here.”

Other Contenders

The Northern Irish star found himself just too much to do, coming up a stroke short in a shared third place with Højgaard, after a spectacular 62 closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever score on the European Tour, comprising eight birdies and one eagle.

Højgaard fired six birdie putts of his own, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. England’s Mansell hit an superb last round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.