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The 30-year-old golfer displayed remarkable nerve to secure the prestigious Abu Dhabi title on the final day, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a tense play-off after a rollercoaster final round of play.

Rai nailed a crucial birdie from around eight foot to clinch the win, echoing his sole prior tournament triumph at the 2020 Scottish Open, which was likewise a play-off victory over Fleetwood.

Sunday's Play Drama

The champion entered the final round with a single stroke advantage over countryman Tommy Fleetwood and Denmark’s Højgaard. He ended up with a total score of 263 after a up-and-down, five-under final round that included seven birdie putts and a pair of bogeys.

Fleetwood edged one shot ahead with the 16th and 17th to play after a birdie on the 16th, but Rai pulled level again on the seventeenth and then missed a ten-foot birdie putt to win outright on the final green.

Playoff Decider

This led to a play-off at Yas Links where the eventual winner triumphed to claim the title and $1.5m (£1.13m) in winnings.

{“Tommy is a world-class player and an even more individual. To compete alongside him the last two days was really special,” said Rai, the current world No 30. “You’re so concentrated on your game and staying in the zone, it’s hard to put into words at the moment how it feels. It is amazing to be stood here.”

Notable Contenders

Rory McIlroy left himself a bit too far to make up, finishing one shot short in a shared third place with the Dane, after a stunning 62 closing round of ten-under. It was McIlroy’s lowest-ever score on the DP World Tour, including eight birdie putts and an eagle.

The Danish golfer carded six birdies of his own, but his chances of topping the leaderboard were dented by a dropped shot on the 12th. English golfer Mansell hit an superb last round 63 to end up tied for fifth with Australia’s Hillier.