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The 30-year-old golfer displayed exceptional composure to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on Sunday, defeating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic play-off after a rollercoaster final round of competition.

The Englishman nailed a crucial birdie from around eight feet to seal the win, repeating his sole prior Rolex Series success at the Scottish Open in 2020, which was likewise a playoff win over the same opponent.

Sunday's Play Excitement

The champion started the final round with a one-shot lead over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer Nicolai Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, five-under closing round that featured seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.

Fleetwood moved a stroke ahead with the 16th and 17th remaining after a birdie putt on the sixteenth, but Rai tied it up again on the seventeenth and then failed to convert a 10-foot birdie putt to claim victory on the last hole.

Play-Off Decider

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

{“Tommy is a phenomenal golfer and an even better individual. To compete alongside him the final two rounds was truly memorable,” stated the winner, the present world No 30. “You’re so focused on playing the round and staying in the zone, it’s difficult to put into words at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be stood here.”

Notable Performances

The Northern Irish star left himself just too much to do, coming up one shot short in a shared third place with the Dane, after a spectacular 10-under final round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s best-ever score on the DP World Tour, comprising eight birdie putts and an eagle.

The Danish golfer fired six birdie putts of his own, but his hopes of topping the standings were dented by a dropped shot on the twelfth. English golfer Mansell hit an excellent last round 63 to end up tied for fifth with Australian Daniel Hillier.