Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood fell short of the £1.1 million top prize at the Abu Dhabi Championship, with Aaron Rai emerging victorious in a thrilling play-off. The tournament marked the conclusion of the first of two DP World Tour Play-off events in the Race to Dubai series.
Yas Links witnessed the presence of two Ryder Cup stalwarts, with Fleetwood narrowly losing in the play-off while McIlroy secured a joint third-place finish. The significance of the Abu Dhabi Championship as a Play-off event was highlighted by the substantial prize money at stake, totaling close to £7 million.
Fleetwood received over £750,000 for his efforts, while McIlroy shared £752,000 with Nicolai Højgaard, securing the third and fourth-place prizes. Despite starting the final round six shots behind the leader Rai, McIlroy’s exceptional round of 62 propelled him back into contention, albeit falling slightly short.
McIlroy finished at 24 under, leading to a tense climax as Fleetwood and Rai both made critical putts on the 17th to finish tied at 25 under. The subsequent play-off ensued after Rai narrowly missed a birdie opportunity to win outright.
In the sudden-death play-off, both players had birdie chances, with Rai ultimately clinching the title after Fleetwood missed his putt. Reflecting on his victory, Rai expressed his focus and gratitude towards the competition and his esteemed playing partner, Fleetwood.
Despite facing challenges during the round, including a crucial missed putt at the 14th hole, Rai credited his caddie for providing support and guidance to stay composed and finish strongly. The DP World Tour Championship will bring the Race to Dubai to a close, commencing on November 13.