Aaron Rai defeats Tommy Fleetwood in playoff at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

Aaron Rai defeated Tommy Fleetwood with a birdie on the first extra hole (par-5 18th) to win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship at Yas Links.

Rai and Fleetwood finished the week at 25-under par, which sets a tournament record score. 

The English duo finished one shot clear of Nicolai Hojgaard and a fast-finishing Rory McIlroy, who scorched the turf in 62 shots. 

Daniel Hillier and Richard Mansell rounded out the top five on 22-under par. 

But it was Rai's day in the sun as he closed out his third DP World Tour title and second Rolex Series win.

The victory marked Rai's first since he also defeated Fleetwood in a playoff to win the Scottish Open in October 2020. 

Rai receives a first-prize cheque of $1.53m, the biggest of his golf career - check out how much they all earned at the Abu Dhabi Championship. 

"It's hard to sum up," said Rai, who vaults 46 positions up to ninth in the Race to Dubai. 

"I was so focused playing the round and obviously trying to stay in the zone, it's hard to put into words as to how this feels and how I'll reflect on it.

"It's amazing to be stood here.

"Tommy is a phenomenal player and he's an even better person than he is a player and that says a lot.

"To play with him the last two days and to be out there with him was really special as well."

Rai missed a two-footer for par on the par-4 14th, which appeared to have scuppered his chances of a DP World Tour hat-trick.

But thanks to a quick pep talk from his caddie, Jason Timmis, the 30-year-old Englishman kept his composure down the closing stretch. 

Rai bounced back quickly with birdies on 16 and 17 to force a playoff with his playing partner Fleetwood.

After watching Fleetwood miss from 14 feet and on the same line, Rai stepped in to convert his 10 footer for the win. 

"It was a shock to the system [missing the putt on 14], but my caddie was great telling me to stay present and to finish strong," added Rai.

"Then made a nice up and down on 15 and it was nice to finish strongly there." 

Rai was greeted by his father Amrik after winning the Abu Dhabi Championship.

Fleetwood was going in search of a third Abu Dhabi Championship and a third title in his last five starts. 

The World No.5 moves up 16 spots to 10th in the Race to Dubai following his runner-up finish. 

Fleetwood was greeted at the back of the green by his son and biggest fan, Frankie. 

The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship marked the penultimate event of the season. 

The top 50 on the DP World Tour Rankings now head into the DP World Tour Championship, the season finale on the circuit in Dubai. 

Check out the top 50 players headed to the DP World Tour Championship.

McIlroy will go in search of a fourth straight Race to Dubai at Jumeirah Golf Estates.

The World No.2 currently owns a commanding lead of just under 500 points over Marco Penge, who continued his impressive form with a top-10 finish in Abu Dhabi.