Aaron Rai expressed his difficulty in articulating his emotions after clinching the Abu Dhabi Championship title. He triumphed over Tommy Fleetwood in a play-off, with both players finishing at 25-under
par. Rai had initially led by one stroke entering the final round but missed a crucial putt that could have secured victory without extra holes.
Fleetwood briefly took the lead with a birdie two holes from the end but ended up tied with Rai after completing his round with a 66. The decisive moment came on the first play-off hole, where Rai sank a seven-foot birdie putt, while Fleetwood managed only par. This victory mirrored Rai's previous Rolex Series win at the 2020 Scottish Open, where he also defeated Fleetwood in a play-off.
"It's hard to sum up," said Rai. "I think you're just so focused on playing the round and obviously just trying to stay in your zone. " He continued, "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. "
Rory McIlroy delivered an impressive performance, finishing just one stroke behind after achieving his best round of the DP World Tour season with a final-round score of 62. Nicolai Hojgaard matched McIlroy's 24-under total but missed joining the play-off due to an unsuccessful eagle attempt on the last hole.
Aaron Rai wins the 2025 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship #ADGolfChamps | #RolexSeries pic.twitter.com/izW1XEzupu
DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) November 9, 2025
Reflecting on his strategy, McIlroy stated, "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. "
Rai's final round was marked by seven birdies and two bogeys, resulting in a five-under-par 65. Despite missing a ten-foot putt for victory in regulation play, he remained composed for the play-off. Playing alongside Fleetwood for two days was particularly meaningful for Rai.
The event showcased intense competition among top golfers, with each player demonstrating remarkable skill and determination. As they look forward to future tournaments, their performances in Abu Dhabi set high expectations for upcoming challenges on the tour.
