Aaron Rai holds a slim one-shot lead heading into the final round of the 2025 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship on Sunday, aiming for his first DP World Tour victory in five years.
The English golfer, who shared the halfway lead with fellow countryman and Dubai resident Tommy Fleetwood, excelled in ideal scoring conditions on Saturday, topping the leaderboard at 20-under-par with an impressive six-under 66.
Rai, whose last Tour win was in Scotland in 2020, is poised to double his Rolex Series titles if he maintains his lead on Sunday at Yas Links, Abu Dhabi.
He dazzled with a front nine of 31, gaining five shots before adding birdies on the 11th and 14th holes. His only slip came on the 17th, briefly reducing his three-shot lead.
Fleetwood and Nicolai Højgaard are just one stroke behind at 19-under. Fleetwood recorded a remarkable 67, including an eagle and three birdies, while Højgaard delivered one of the day’s best rounds, a 65 with eight birdies and a single bogey.
Spain’s Nacho Elvira is close behind at 18-under, finishing with consecutive birdies, while Andy Sullivan (England) and Daniel Hillier (New Zealand) are tied for fifth at 17-under.
Reflecting on his performance, Rai commented, “An overall strong round. Drove exceptionally well, hit some great iron shots, and created numerous chances. Felt confident on the greens, with many putts having a good chance of dropping.
“The wind significantly increased on the back nine, making it challenging. It’s crucial to stick to your game plan, and if executed well, opportunities naturally arise.
“But caution is key,” he continued. “Being overly aggressive can backfire quickly. With scores this low, dropping one or two shots can feel like stepping backwards.”
Rai remarked that winning the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship would be “special,” describing it as “one of the largest events on the DP World Tour.”
“Winning this week, having a chance going into the weekend, is fantastic. There’s still a long way to go and many excellent players. We’ll do our best and see what happens,” he concluded.
The exceptional golf on a pristine course, with minimal wind, was highlighted by only two players shooting over par in round three.
Tee times for the final day (tomorrow) feature three-ball play starting at 7:02 am, with the leaders teeing off at 11:25 am in the final group of Fleetwood, Hojgaard, and Rai.
Round Three Leaders (Par 72, 7,425 yards)
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Aaron Rai (ENG) 66 – 64 – 66 = 196 (-20)
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Nicolai Højgaard (DEN) 65 – 67 – 65 = 197 (-19)
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Tommy Fleetwood (ENG) 64 – 66 – 67 = 197 (-19)
