ABU DHABI (AP) – Aaron Rai, of England, overcame a short miss by making two late birdies to finish with a 5-under 67. He then defeated Tommy Fleetwood with a 10-foot putt on the first play-off hole to win the Abu Dhabi Championship. This was Rai’s first win on the European Tour since he beat Fleetwood at the 2020 Scottish Open. He won his first PGA Tour championship in August 2004, the Wyndham. McIlroy began the back nine of the Yas Links course with five consecutive birdies, and finished with a 62. This was the same score as his lowest on the European Tour. He ended up one shot back, but extended his lead in Race to Dubai which concludes in a week. Fleetwood had been aiming to win a third title globally in what was already a memorable season. This included a 4-1-0 record as a member of a winning Europe Ryder Cup Team. He holed a birdie from 15 feet at the 16th, and then made a par-putting putt from 15 feet to tie Rai on the 18th.
Both missed birdie opportunities in regulation at the par-5 18. Fleetwood and Rai finished on 25-under-263. They were one shot ahead McIlroy of Ireland, and Nicolai hjogaard (Denmark), who narrowly missed a 15-foot eagle-putt on the 18th hole. He finished with a score of 66.Rai stated that it was difficult to describe the feeling. It’s an amazing experience to be in this place.
The 30-year-old Rai lost the lead on a low scoring day when his 3-foot putt on 14th slid out of cup. He had to make a 6-foot par putt on the 15th. But he used a 5-iron to get to 8 feet for a birdie on the 16th to stay within a shot of Fleetwood who made a 15-footer. Rai holed a putt of 15 feet to remain tied. Fleetwood needed to make a par-saving 18-footer on the 17th par-3 to get to 25 under. Fleetwood’s chance to make a birdie went right and Rai made the putt.
Rai started the week as No. Rai was ranked 55th in the Race to Dubai before the week and his victory has moved him up to 9th. Top 50 finishers will be able to qualify at the DP World Tour Championship, the season’s final event in Dubai next week. Matthew Jordan finished tied for 15th, earning the 50th place. McIlroy will be defending his title next week as Europe’s top player. McIlroy, the defending champion next week, will be going for his seventh title as Europe’s No.
McIlroy stated, “I kept my foot down, and made as many birdies, as I could, knowing that not only was I trying to win this event, but to also give myself a cushion going into Dubai the following week.”
2025-11-09 23:42:55
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