The 2025 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship has reached a playoff stage, with Tommy Fleetwood and Aaron Rai set to compete after both finishing on a tournament record 25-under total. Rory McIlroy narrowly missed out on joining the playoff, finishing just one shot behind the leading duo at the Yas Links Golf Course.
Having faced each other in a DP World Tour playoff before, Fleetwood and Rai entered the final showdown, with McIlroy graciously acknowledging their performances and offering his congratulations. This was a rematch from their previous encounter at the 2020 Scottish Open, where Rai emerged victorious over Fleetwood in a playoff.
McIlroy expressed his frustration after missing out on the playoff, citing difficulty in maintaining patience while Rai set a blistering pace throughout the tournament. Despite feeling that he played well, McIlroy acknowledged the challenge of keeping up with the competition on the demanding course.
In contrast, Rai and Fleetwood embraced the opportunity to compete against a golf icon, with Rai emphasizing the significance of the event on the DP World Tour. Fleetwood highlighted the importance of patience in his performance and praised Rai for his stellar play during the tournament.
As the championship unfolded, Sky announced a discount on its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the upcoming season, offering substantial savings and an extensive coverage of live matches across various leagues, including an increased number of Premier League games next season.
Receive the latest golf news straight to your inbox with the latest updates and insights from the world of golf.