Rai started the final round with a one-shot lead but fell two behind early after a slow opening stretch. He responded with four consecutive birdies from the 4th to the 7th to regain his position near the top of the leaderboard, and further birdies on the 16th and 17th holes took him to 25-under.

Fleetwood, chasing his third Rolex Series win, produced a bogey-free 66 that included an eagle at the 2nd and four birdies. His round was enough to match Rai at the top and force the tournament into extra holes.

Returning to the 18th for the play-off, Rai found the fairway and safely reached the green before converting his birdie putt to claim the championship. The result marks his third DP World Tour victory and his first since 2020.

Speaking to the DP World Tour after the win, Rai said the magnitude of the moment was still sinking in.

“It’s hard to sum up. I think you’re just so focused on playing the round … It’s just amazing to be stood here,” he said.

Rai also acknowledged the quality of the contest with Fleetwood.

“Tommy is a phenomenal player. He’s an even better person than he is a player and that says a lot,” he told the DP World Tour.

The win moves Rai up the DP World Tour Rankings and strengthens his position in the season’s standings. Fleetwood’s runner-up finish continues his consistent run of results in Rolex Series events.

Australian players were unable to factor in the closing stages, Elvis Smylie was the best placed Aussie in a tie for 34th. Kiwi Daniel Hillier has put himself in with a huge chance of securing a PGA Tour card with his share of fifth place.

The scoring in Abu Dhabi again highlighted the standard required at the top level of the DP World Tour, with both Rai and Fleetwood reaching 25-under across the 72 holes.