Watch Aaron Rai’s stunning albatross on the par-5 No. 2 at Yas Links Golf Course, propelling him to an 8-under 64 and tying for the lead with Tommy Fleetwood in Round 2 of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
In this highlights video, we recap Rai’s bogey-free round, Fleetwood’s 66 to reach 14 under, and key performances from Rory McIlroy and others on the PGA TOUR. See the surprise shot that rolled into the cup from 214 yards.
Don’t miss the drama from the DP World Tour’s 2025 season finale, including standings updates for the Race to Dubai. Perfect for golf fans excited about albatrosses, championship leads, and star players like Rai, Fleetwood, and McIlroy.
Hold on to your hats, golf fans. Aaron Ry just pulled off something truly extraordinary, rocketing into a tie for the lead at the Abu Dhabi Championship with a shot so rare it’s practically mythical. We’re talking about an albatross, a double eagle, and it’s got the whole golfing world buzzing. This all unfolded during round two of the 2025 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship played at the stunning Yas Links Golf Course. Image credit Richard Heathkut/Getty Images. The Associated Press brings us the story. Aaron Ry with a spectacular display of precision sunk his second shot on the par 5second hole from a staggering 214 yds out. Can you imagine the thrill? He carted an eight under 64 propelling him to the top of the leaderboard where he shares the spotlight with another formidable Englishman, Tommy Fleekwood. Rise incredible shot wasn’t just luck. It was a testament to his skill and focus. Here’s how it happened. Rise ball landed just a few yards onto the green and then with perfect trajectory and speed it rolled straight into the cup. You couldn’t see it from the back of the fairway, so it was a nice surprise, Ry admitted, showcasing his humble reaction to the incredible feat he started the day two strokes off the lead in this penultimate event of the DP World Tours 2025 season. Fleetwood, a season champion with Abu Dhabi victories in 2017 and 2018, continued his strong performance. After an opening round 64, which he shared the lead with five other players, he added a 66, fueled by birdies on his first three holes. This brought him to an impressive 14 under for the tournament, matching Rice score. I’m having a lot of good rounds, Fleekwood stated, acknowledging his consistent form as the season nears its end. He’s definitely on a hot streak considering he was the top point scorer during Europe’s Rder Cup victory in September and clinched the India Championship just last month. But I’m not stupid and it’s bitten me enough times,” he added, hinting at the unpredictable nature of golf and the need to stay grounded. This is a great point as even the best players can face unexpected challenges on the course. Do you think Fleetwood’s past experiences will give him an edge in the final rounds? Behind the leaders, the competition remains fierce. Andy Sullivan, 67, Nikolai Hajgard, 67, and Richard Stern, 68, are lurking just two strokes behind. Shane Lowry is part of a group of four players trailing by another stroke following a round of 69. And this is the part most people miss. Rory Mroy, currently ranked number two in the world, is also in the mix, although further back. Mroy shot a second consecutive 68, placing him at eight under overall, six strokes behind Ry and Fleekwood. While he’s got ground to make up, never count out Mroy. He’s pursuing a record seventh race to Dubai title, which would put him just one behind Colin Montgomery’s all-time record. That’s a lot of pressure. Marco Pen, 68, is currently Mroyy’s closest competitor in the race to Dubai standings. In fact, he’s one stroke ahead of the Northern Irishman, having played alongside him for the first two days. This adds an extra layer of intrigue to their competition. But here’s where it gets controversial. Some might argue that Penn’s proximity to Mroy gives him an advantage, allowing him to learn from the season pro. Others might say it adds pressure knowing he’s being closely watched. What do you think? So, what are your predictions for the weekend? Will Ryan Fleetwood maintain their lead or will someone else emerge victorious? And can Mroy close the gap and continue his quest for a historic race to Dubai title? Share your thoughts and predictions in the comments below.
