The 30-year-old golfer displayed exceptional composure to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, defeating his compatriot in a tense playoff following a topsy-turvy final round of play.
Rai nailed a decisive birdie putt from around eight feet to seal the win, echoing his only previous tournament triumph at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was also a playoff victory over the same opponent.
Rai entered the final round with a single stroke advantage over fellow Englishman Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, 67 closing round that included seven birdie putts and two bogeys.
Fleetwood moved one shot ahead with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie on the 16th, but his rival tied it up again on the 17th and then missed a 10-foot birdie putt to win outright on the last green.
That set up a play-off at the Yas Links course where Rai triumphed to claim the championship and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in prize money.
{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even better person. To play with him the final two rounds was really special,” said Rai, the present world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to describe at the moment how it is. It is amazing to be holding the trophy.”
The Northern Irish star left himself just too much to do, coming up a stroke behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a spectacular 10-under final round of ten-under. It was his best-ever score on the European Tour, comprising eight birdies and an eagle.
Højgaard carded six birdie putts of his as well, but his chances of leading the leaderboard were hit by a bogey on the 12th. English golfer Mansell produced an superb final-round 63 to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.
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