#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

US Open: Is Scottie Scheffler ready to fulfil his destiny and complete career Grand Slam at Shinnecock Hills?

US Open: Is Scottie Scheffler ready to fulfil his destiny and complete career Grand Slam at Shinnecock Hills?

The stars could align for Scottie Scheffler at Shinnecock Hills this week, with the 29-year-old able to complete the final leg of his career Grand Sla...

US Open 2026: Scottie Scheffler plays down Grand Slam motivation ahead of bid for missing major at Shinnecock Hills

US Open 2026: Scottie Scheffler plays down Grand Slam motivation ahead of bid for missing major at Shinnecock Hills

Scottie Scheffler insists completing the career Grand Slam has never been a motivating factor and that he will not consider it a failure if he does no...

US Open 2026 leaderboard: Latest golf scores from Shinnecock Hills in New York and tee times for third men's golf major

US Open 2026 leaderboard: Latest golf scores from Shinnecock Hills in New York and tee times for third men's golf major

Latest scores from the 126th US Open, the third men's major of the year, held at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, New York. JJ Spaun is defending cham...

US Open: Scottie Scheffler charges into Grand Slam contention with brilliant major fightback in third round at Shinnecock Hills

US Open: Scottie Scheffler charges into Grand Slam contention with brilliant major fightback in third round at Shinnecock Hills

Scottie Scheffler is relishing the opportunity to challenge for Grand Slam glory at the US Open after charging into contention with a third-round figh...

US Open: Brooks Koepka withdraws through injury in Canada leaving two-time champion's participation in doubt

US Open: Brooks Koepka withdraws through injury in Canada leaving two-time champion's participation in doubt

Brooks Koepka has withdrawn from the final round of the RBC Canadian Open in Toronto as he deals with a hand injury.Questions now hang over the five-t...

US Open golf 2026 - third round recap! Reaction, highlights, scores as Wyndham Clark extended lead at Shinnecock Hills

US Open golf 2026 - third round recap! Reaction, highlights, scores as Wyndham Clark extended lead at Shinnecock Hills

Eight signings? De Zerbi's plans to rebuild Spurs this summerYour Site News' Michael Bridge gives the latest on Tottenham's transfer plans this s...