DP World Tour: Rai secures play-off win at Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

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

Aaron Rai lifts the Falcon Trophy Getty Images

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.

Rai started the week 55th on the season-long standings, needing a big week to make sure of his spot at the DP World Tour Championship, with the leading 50 available players qualifying. He now heads to the second event of the DP World Tour Play-Offs in ninth position in the Rankings and as the Tour's most recent winner.

Race to Dubai leader Rory McIlroy fired a ten-under-par 62 to sit one shot behind Fleetwood and Rai in a tie for third alongside Nicolai Højgaard. The defending champion goes into the final event of the season with a 767.02 point lead over second placed Marco Penge as he aims to top the Rankings for the seventh time.

Daniel Hillier and Richard Mansell were two shots further back on 22 under, with Nacho Elvira and Andy Sullivan at 21 under, and Penge, Angel Ayora and Robert MacIntyre rounding out the top ten at 20 under.