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'It's hard to sum up' - Rai thrilled to clinch Abu Dhabi Championship title with play-off win

Aaron Rai has won the second Rolex Series title of his career, having defeated Tommy Fleetwood in a play-off.

Aaron Rai said it was "hard to put into words" how he felt after winning the Abu Dhabi Championship following a play-off against Tommy Fleetwood.

The pair had finished top of the leaderboard, level on 25-under after a thrilling final round, with Rai, who had taken a one-shot lead into the final round, missing the chance to win it in regulation.

Rai's final round saw him card a topsy-turvy five-under 65, including seven birdies and two bogeys, but he missed a 10-foot putt to win it at the last.

Fleetwood, meanwhile, had moved one shot clear with two holes left thanks to a birdie, but he was pegged back level with Rai after finishing on 66.

The 30-year-old then wrapped up the title on the first play-off hole, sinking a seven-foot birdie, with Fleetwood only able to make par.

There were clear parallels with Rai's only other Rolex Series win at the 2020 Scottish Open, when he also beat Fleetwood in a play-off.

"It's hard to sum up," Rai said. "I think you're just so focused on playing the round and obviously just trying to stay in your zone.

"It's hard to put into words at the moment how this feels or how I'm going to reflect on it.

"But it's just amazing to be stood here. Tommy is a phenomenal player. 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 be out there with him was really special. So yeah, amazing to be here."

Rory McIlroy finished one shot further back after carding his best round on the DP World Tour this season, with a final-round 62.

Nicolai Hojgaard finished level with him on 24-under, having missed the chance to join Rai and Fleetwood in the play-off after missing an eagle attempt on the last hole.

"I just tried to keep my foot down and make as many birdies as possible, knowing that I'm trying to win this tournament but also give myself the biggest cushion possible going into Dubai next week, as well," McIlroy said.

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