Rai Edges Fleetwood to Win Abu Dhabi Playoff
Aaron Rai defeated Tommy Fleetwood on the first playoff hole to claim the Abu Dhabi Championship on Sunday. Rai showed great composure, returning from a short break during which he married Indian professional golfer Gaurika Bishnoi.
At Yas Links, Rai secured victory with a 12-foot birdie putt after Fleetwood missed from a longer distance. Both players tied at 25 under par after regulation play, with Rai shooting a final-round 67 and Fleetwood a 66.
Career and Rankings Impact
The 30-year-old’s win marked his third DP World Tour title and his first since 2020. His previous victory was 14 months ago at the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship.
“I didn’t really have too many expectations coming into it. I actually came here two weeks ago to do a bit of practice, which helped massively. I wasn’t sure what to expect, so to be sat here now is hard to put into words.”
This triumph is expected to boost Rai to world No. 23 and seventh in the Race to Dubai standings ahead of the season finale.
Other Notable Performances
- World No. 2 Rory McIlroy posted a bogey-free 10-under 62 to finish tied for third place.
- Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard, finishing with a 67, tied with McIlroy in third.
- New Zealander Daniel Hillier (67) and England’s Richard Mansell (63) tied for fifth at 22 under par.
Additional Context
McIlroy marked his 10th top-three finish in this event, despite never having won it.
Aaron Rai's victory highlights his steady return to form after a break, combining personal milestones with professional success.