Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood fell short of the £1.1 million top prize at the Abu Dhabi Championship as Aaron Rai emerged victorious in a thrilling play-off. The tournament marked the conclusion of the first of two DP World Tour Play-off events as the intense Race to Dubai season nears its end.
Both European Ryder Cup stars, Fleetwood and McIlroy, showcased their skills at Yas Links, with Fleetwood narrowly missing out in the play-off and McIlroy securing a joint third-place finish. The Abu Dhabi Championship, being a Play-off event, saw a substantial increase in prize money, with nearly £7 million up for grabs.
Fleetwood earned just over £750,000 for his efforts, while McIlroy shared a prize of £752,000 with Nicolai Højgaard for finishing third and fourth respectively. Despite starting the final round six shots behind the leader Rai, McIlroy’s impressive round of 62 brought him back into contention but fell short of victory.
McIlroy finished at 24 under, while Fleetwood and Rai both made crucial putts on the 17th hole to enter the final hole tied at 25 under. Rai missed a birdie putt that would have secured victory, leading to a play-off between the two players.
In the sudden-death play-off, both golfers had birdie opportunities. After Fleetwood missed his chance, Rai seized the moment, sinking his putt to claim the coveted top prize. Reflecting on his win, Rai expressed his elation and gratitude for the opportunity to compete alongside Fleetwood.
Despite facing challenges during the round, including a missed putt on the 14th hole, Rai credited his caddie for keeping him focused and helping him finish strong. The Race to Dubai will culminate with the DP World Tour Championship commencing on November 13.