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 playoff. The tournament marked the first of two DP World Tour Playoff events as the Race to Dubai nears its conclusion.
European Ryder Cup stars showcased their skills at Yas Links, with Fleetwood narrowly missing out in the playoff and McIlroy securing a joint third-place finish. The Abu Dhabi Championship, being a Playoff event, saw a significant increase in prize money, with a total purse of nearly £7 million up for grabs.
Fleetwood took home just over £750,000, while McIlroy shared £752,000 with Nicolai Højgaard for the third and fourth spots. Despite starting the final round six shots behind leader Rai, McIlroy’s impressive round of 62 propelled him back into contention, although it wasn’t quite enough to clinch victory.
Following McIlroy’s 24-under finish, Fleetwood and Rai both nailed crucial putts on the 17th hole to head into the final tied at 25 under. Rai had a chance to secure the win with a birdie putt on the last hole but narrowly missed, leading to a playoff.
In the playoff, both players had birdie opportunities. Rai capitalized on his closer putt after Fleetwood missed, securing the top prize. Rai expressed his elation after the win, emphasizing the intense focus required during the round.
Reflecting on his recovery from a shaky moment on the course, Rai credited his caddie Jason for providing crucial support and guidance. The Race to Dubai will culminate with the DP World Tour Championship commencing on November 13.