đ Share this article The English golfer Clinches the Abu Dhabi Title in Dramatic Playoff Battle Versus Tommy Fleetwood Aaron Rai displayed remarkable nerve to claim the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, defeating his compatriot in a dramatic play-off after a rollercoaster last day of competition. The Englishman sank a decisive birdie putt from just over eight foot to seal the victory, repeating his sole prior tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a playoff win over Fleetwood. Final Round Drama The champion started the last day with a one-shot advantage over fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood and Danish golfer HĂžjgaard. He finished with a overall score of 263 after a topsy-turvy, 67 final round that featured seven birdies and a pair of bogeys. Fleetwood moved a stroke clear 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 win outright on the last hole. Play-Off Climax That set up a playoff at Yas Links where Rai triumphed to claim the championship and $1.5m (ÂŁ1.13m) in winnings. {âTommy is a world-class golfer and an even more individual. To compete alongside him the last two days was truly memorable,â said Rai, the present world No 30. âYouâre so focused on playing the round and staying in the zone, itâs difficult to describe at the moment how it is. It is incredible to be holding the trophy.â Notable Contenders Rory McIlroy found himself a bit too far to do, coming up a stroke behind in a shared third place with HĂžjgaard, after a spectacular 10-under final round of 62. It was his best-ever score on the European Tour, including eight birdie putts and an eagle. HĂžjgaard carded six birdies of his own, but his hopes of leading the leaderboard were hit by a dropped shot on the 12th. Englandâs Richard Mansell produced an excellent final-round seven-under to end up in a tie for fifth place with Australian Daniel Hillier.