Aaron Rai of England secured victory at the Abu Dhabi Championship by sinking a crucial 10-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to edge out Tommy Fleetwood. Rai, coming back after a two-month hiatus, carded a solid 5-under 67 to claim his third European Tour title, his first since defeating Fleetwood in the 2020 Scottish Open. The win marks his first victory on the tour since his triumph at the Wyndham Championship in August 2004.
Rory McIlroy staged a remarkable comeback on the back nine with five consecutive birdies, finishing with a stellar 62 to trail just one shot behind the leaders. Despite narrowly missing out on the title, McIlroy extended his lead in the Race to Dubai standings.
Fleetwood, vying for his third title of the season, displayed his prowess with a 15-foot birdie on the 16th and a crucial par save on the 17th to force the playoff with Rai. Both players missed birdie opportunities on the final hole in regulation, ending tied at 25-under 263.
The thrilling finale saw Rai clinch victory with a clutch birdie putt in the playoff, showcasing his composure under pressure. With this win, Rai moved up to the 9th spot in the Race to Dubai rankings, securing a spot in the season-ending DP World Tour Championship next week.
McIlroy, eyeing his seventh European Tour title, reinforced his position as the front-runner with a runner-up finish in Abu Dhabi. The competition intensifies as the tour heads to Dubai, where the stakes are high for the top contenders.