RAI WINS AS McILROY RACES TO THE LINE WITH CLOSING 62
England's Aaron Rai wins his second Rolex Series event in Abu Dhabi after a play-off with Tommy Fleetwood where Rory McIlroy also closed with a 10-under 62 (Photo: Getty)
Aaron Rai claimed his second Rolex Series crown at the 2025 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship after beating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic play-off while Rory McIlroy raced to the line with a stunning closing round of 62 at Yas Links GC.
McIlroy came up one shot shy of the winning total of 25 under but his eagle and birdie blitz asked the question of the leading duo. A round that included eight birdies, one eagle and no dropped shots saw the world number two sensationally rattle off five consecutive birdies from the 10th in his 10 under 62.
“Obviously ended up one short but great day of golf, and a great way to end the week. And also a great way to sort of go into next week into Dubai, as well,” said McIlroy after his round. “One thing I said to Harry [Diamond, his caddy] walking off the green is ‘at least we are going to make them earn it no matter what happens’."
“I just tried to keep my foot down and make as many birdies as possible knowing that, okay, I'm trying to win this tournament but also give myself the biggest cushion possible going into next week, as well,” added McIlroy in reference to the Race to Dubai and next week’s event where he has enjoyed plenty of success.
“Yeah, I really like that golf course. It really suits me. Probably suits me a little bit better than this course does this week just in terms of what you need to do off the tee and into the greens. Look, this was a great confidence-builder this week coming off a couple weeks off and hopefully just produce more of the same next Thursday and onwards.”
McIlroy is the defending champion goes into the final event of the season with a 767.02 point lead over second placed Marco Penge as he aims to top the Rankings for the seventh time.
As for the leading English duo who required extra time to be separated, it was Rai’s turn to take the spotlight. The Englishman started the day with a one-shot lead but soon found himself two shots back following a fast start from playing partner Fleetwood.
But a run of four successive birdies on the front nine returned him to the top before Fleetwood regained control on a roller-coaster final day. Rai produced late fireworks, though, birdieing the 16th and 17th to sit level with Fleetwood at the summit heading down the last.
And although he missed a good chance to win in regulation, he made no mistake with his birdie putt at the first extra hole to become a three-time DP World Tour winner.
“It's hard to sum up. I was so focused, just tried to stay in the zone. It's hard to put into words at the moment how this feels and how I'm going to reflect on it,” said Rai.
“Just amazing to be stood here. Obviously, Tommy is a phenomenal player and 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 to be able to be in a playoff with him was special as well.
Rai, who won his first Rolex Series title at the 2020 Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, made a total of seven birdies - including four in a row from the fourth - and two bogeys in his closing 67 to reach 25 under par, while Fleetwood produced a bogey-free 66 that featured an eagle and four birdies.
Rai started the week 55th on the season-long standings, needing a big week to make sure of his spot at the DP World Tour Championship, with the leading 50 available players qualifying. He now heads to the second event of the DP World Tour Play-Offs in ninth position in the Rankings and as the Tour's most recent winner.
“Any time you win on the DP World Tour, it's a real accomplishment. The fields are strong. There's so much work that goes into a tournament and so much work that goes into weeks away from the tournament. To win a Rolex Series event, an event the size of this tournament, this strong of a field is really special. Yeah, amazing to be here.
“It's been an amazing year off the course, first and foremost, with getting married, it's been a beautiful year with a lot of beautiful celebrations. And on the course, a very consistent year up until kind of Wentworth. It was great to play well at Wentworth, and obviously here to go one step further and to win this week. A great year off the course and a great year on the course and one that I'll always remember.
Daniel Hillier and Richard Mansell were two shots further back on 22 under, with Nacho Elvira and Andy Sullivan at 21 under, and Penge, Angel Ayora and Robert MacIntyre rounding out the top ten at 20 under.