Aaron Rai secured his second Rolex Series title at the 2025 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship by outplaying Tommy Fleetwood in a thrilling play-off on Sunday.
Rai, the English golfer, began the final round with a one-shot lead but quickly fell two shots behind as Fleetwood made a strong start.
However, Rai’s four consecutive birdies on the front nine propelled him back to the top, before Fleetwood took charge again on an unpredictable final day.
Rai delivered an impressive finish, birdieing the 16th and 17th holes to draw level with Fleetwood as they approached the last hole.
Although he missed a winning opportunity on the 18th green, Rai made no error with his birdie putt at the first extra hole, marking his third DP World Tour victory.
Having claimed his first Rolex Series win at the 2020 Aberdeen Standard Investments Scottish Open, Rai recorded seven birdies — including four in a row starting at the fourth hole — and two bogeys in his final round of 67, achieving a 25 under par. Fleetwood, meanwhile, delivered a flawless 66 with an eagle and four birdies.
Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy shot a remarkable ten-under-par 62, finishing one shot behind Rai and Fleetwood, tied for third with Nicolai Højgaard.
Daniel Hillier and Richard Mansell followed, two shots back at 22 under.
Rai, who entered the week ranked 55th and needing a strong performance to qualify for the DP World Tour Championship, now advances as the latest tournament winner.
After celebrating his victory with his father Amrik, Rai shared, “It’s hard to express the feeling. You’re so focused during the round, staying in the zone. It’s difficult to articulate right now how this feels or how I’ll reflect on it.
“But standing here is incredible. Tommy is an exceptional player and an even better person, which says a lot.
“Playing alongside him these last two days was really special. So yes, it’s amazing to be here.”
Recalling his recovery from a missed short par putt on the 14th, Rai said, “My caddie Jason (Timmis) was fantastic. Missing that short putt on the 14th was a bit of a shock.
“He kept me focused, urging me to stay present and concentrate on the next shots. I made a crucial up-and-down on the 15th, which was a confidence booster.
“That moment was significant. Finishing strongly on the last few holes was very satisfying.”
