The 2025 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship concluded with a playoff between Tommy Fleetwood and Aaron Rai, both finishing at a record 25-under total. Rory McIlroy narrowly missed out, ending one shot behind the leaders at the Yas Links Golf Course.
Having faced off in a DP World Tour playoff before, Fleetwood and Rai showcased their skills once again, with McIlroy graciously acknowledging their performances. The Englishmen previously met at the 2020 Scottish Open, where Rai emerged victorious in a playoff.
McIlroy admitted to struggling with patience during the championship, especially as Rai set the pace. Despite feeling pressure, McIlroy acknowledged the need to remain composed on the challenging course.
Expressing his thoughts, McIlroy highlighted the competitive nature of the tournament and the difficulty of catching up to the leaders. Meanwhile, Rai and Fleetwood embraced the opportunity to compete against a golf legend, emphasizing the significance of the event on the DP World Tour.
Fleetwood commended his own patience during the tournament and praised Rai for his exceptional performance. In other news, Sky has announced discounted bundles for the upcoming season, offering a wide range of live sports content, including over 1,400 matches across various leagues, with an increased number of live Premier League games scheduled for next season.