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The 30-year-old golfer demonstrated remarkable nerve to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, defeating his compatriot in a tense play-off following a topsy-turvy final round of competition.

The Englishman sank a decisive birdie putt from around eight feet to clinch the win, repeating his sole prior tournament success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a play-off victory against the same opponent.

Final Round Excitement

The champion started the last day with a one-shot advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a overall score of twenty-under after a up-and-down, five-under final round that included seven birdies and two bogeys.

Fleetwood edged a stroke clear with two holes remaining after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but his rival pulled level again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final green.

Play-Off Decider

This set up a play-off at Yas Links where the eventual winner triumphed to take the title and $1.5 million (£1.13 million) in prize money.

{“Tommy is a phenomenal player and an even more person. To play with him the last two days was truly memorable,” said Rai, the current world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and maintaining focus, it’s difficult to describe at the moment how it feels. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.”

Notable Performances

Rory McIlroy found himself just too much to make up, coming up a stroke behind in a tie for third with Højgaard, after a stunning 10-under closing round of 62. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever round on the European Tour, including eight birdie putts and an eagle.

The Danish golfer fired six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of topping the leaderboard were hit by a bogey on the 12th. English golfer Mansell hit an excellent last round seven-under to finish in a tie for fifth place with Australia’s Daniel Hillier.