Rory McIlroy and Tommy Fleetwood fell short of winning the £1.1 million top prize as Aaron Rai emerged victorious in a thrilling play-off at the Abu Dhabi Championship. The first of the two DP World Tour Play-off events has concluded as the Race to Dubai heads towards its climax.
Yas Links witnessed the presence of two European Ryder Cup stars, with Fleetwood losing in the play-off and McIlroy settling for a tie for third place. The Abu Dhabi Championship, designated as a Play-off tournament, saw a significant increase in prize money, with a total purse of nearly £7 million up for grabs.
Fleetwood received just over £750,000, while McIlroy shared £752,000 with Nicolai Højgaard, representing the combined third and fourth prizes. Despite starting the final round six shots behind the leader Rai, McIlroy’s impressive round of 62 propelled him back into contention, though it wasn’t enough for the win.
Following McIlroy’s 24-under finish, Fleetwood and Rai both made crucial putts on the 17th hole to enter the final tied at 25 under. Rai missed a birdie chance to win, leading the tournament into a play-off after Fleetwood managed only a par.
In the sudden-death play-off, both players had birdie opportunities. Rai secured the victory with a birdie putt after Fleetwood missed his attempt. Rai expressed his feelings after the win, stating that it was an indescribable moment for him.
Reflecting on his recovery from a setback, Rai credited his caddie for providing crucial support and guidance during challenging moments on the course. The Race to Dubai will conclude with the DP World Tour Championship commencing on November 13.