Rai overcomes Fleetwood in play-off to claim AD C’ship

Aaron Rai claimed his second Rolex Series crown at the 2025 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship after beating Tommy Fleetwood in a dramatic playoff on Sunday.

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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 inside 72 holes on the 18th green, he made no mistake with his birdie putt at the first extra hole to become a three-time DP World Tour winner.

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.

Race to Dubai leader Rory Mcllroy fired a ten-under-par 62 to sit one shot behind Fleetwood and Rai in a tie for third alongside Nicolai Højgaard.

Daniel Hillier and Richard Mansell were two shots further back on 22 under.