#Letakan iklan disini
Golf Dec 07, 2025

Abu Dhabi Championship: Aaron Rai edges out Tommy Fleetwood in play-off to win DP World Tour title as Rory McIlroy falls short

👤
By Admin
Sports Journalist
Abu Dhabi Championship: Aaron Rai edges out Tommy Fleetwood in play-off to win DP World Tour title as Rory McIlroy falls short

Aaron Rai held his nerve to win the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship after beating Tommy Fleetwood on the first play-off hole.

The 30-year-old sunk a birdie from just over eight feet to emulate his only previous Rolex Series win at the 2020 Scottish Open - which was also a play-off win over Fleetwood.

Rai went into the final round with a one-shot lead over Fleetwood and Nicolai Hojgaard, and emerged with a total of 263 after a topsy-turvy, five-under final round that included seven birdies and two bogeys.

He missed a 10-foot putt to win it on the last and see off Fleetwood, who had moved one shot clear with two to play after a birdie on the 16th, but ultimately had to settle for parity after a six-under final round of 66.

Rory McIlroy left himself just too much to do, coming up one shot short in a tie for third place with Hojgaard, after a stunning 10-under final round of 62, comprising eight birdies and an eagle - his lowest ever round on the DP World Tour.

"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.

Hojgaard fired six birdies but his hopes of topping the leaderboard were hit by a bogey on the 12th. England's Richard Mansell hit an excellent final round 63 to finish tied for fifth place with Australia's Daniel Hillier.

After his win, Rai said: "It's hard to sum up. 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."

The DP World Tour Play-Offs conclude with the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai live on SportNews Golf and SportNews Main Event from November 13 at 7am.

Tags:

golf news id:13467165

Share this article

Related Posts

Tiger Woods facing much bigger challenges than deciding whether to play The Masters after car crash, says Paul McGinley

Tiger Woods facing much bigger challenges than deciding whether to play The Masters after car crash, says Paul McGinley

Tiger Woods' hopes of playing at The Masters look slim, but he has "bigger challenges" than deciding whether to play at Augusta National after his lat...

Augusta National Women's Amateur 2026: Field, format, venue, past winners as future stars gather ahead of The Masters

Augusta National Women's Amateur 2026: Field, format, venue, past winners as future stars gather ahead of The Masters

The biggest amateur stars in women's golf get to test themselves at the home of The Masters this week, with the Augusta National Women's Amateur live...

Who has won The Masters? Year-by-year winners of the Green Jacket and every past major victory at Augusta National

Who has won The Masters? Year-by-year winners of the Green Jacket and every past major victory at Augusta National

Who has won The Masters? Which players have enjoyed the most success at Augusta National? We look at the previous winners of the opening major of the...

DP World Tour: Alex Fitzpatrick on Indian Open win, past struggles, and 'gift and a curse' as Matt Fitzpatrick's brother

DP World Tour: Alex Fitzpatrick on Indian Open win, past struggles, and 'gift and a curse' as Matt Fitzpatrick's brother

Fresh from his first DP World Tour, Alex Fitzpatrick revealed the reality of playing in his brother's, Matt Fitzpatrick, shadows on the Your Site Golf...

Tiger Woods will not captain US Ryder Cup team for 2027 tournament in Ireland after stepping away from golf after car crash

Tiger Woods will not captain US Ryder Cup team for 2027 tournament in Ireland after stepping away from golf after car crash

Tiger Woods has told the PGA of America he will not captain the US Ryder Cup team in 2027, following his decision to take a break from golf after his...

Tiger Woods to miss The Masters after 'stepping away to seek treatment' following DUI charge after car crash

Tiger Woods to miss The Masters after 'stepping away to seek treatment' following DUI charge after car crash

Tiger Woods will miss The Masters following his decision to take a break from golf following his car crash, Augusta National chairman Fred Ridley has...