ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Aaron Rai of England overcame a shocking short miss with a pair of late birdies for a 5-under 67 and defeated Tommy Fleetwood on the first playoff hole with a 10-foot birdie putt to win the Abu Dhabi Championship on Sunday.

Rai returned from a two-month break to win for the first time this year and pick up his third European tour title — his first on the tour since defeating Fleetwood in the 2020 Scottish Open. He won the Wyndham Championship in August 2004 for his first PGA Tour title.

Rory McIlroy started the back nine at Yas Links with five straight birdies and closed with a 62, matching his low score on the European tour. He wound up one shot behind, but expanded his lead in the Race to Dubai that concludes next week.

Fleetwood was aiming for a

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