Watch the exciting Abu Dhabi Championship playoff where Aaron Rai defeats Tommy Fleetwood with a clutch birdie putt to claim his third DP World Tour title.
In this PGA TOUR event, Rai overcomes a shocking miss and secures victory on the first playoff hole. Tommy Fleetwood nearly wins but falls short in a memorable showdown.
Rory McIlroy posts an impressive 62 with five straight birdies, finishing one shot back and boosting his Race to Dubai lead.
Key highlights include Fleetwood’s birdie on 16 and Rai’s comeback with birdies on 16 and 17. Nicolai Højgaard just misses joining the playoff.
Rai’s first win this year moves him up to No. 9 in the Race to Dubai, qualifying for the DP World Tour Championship.
Relive the drama of the Abu Dhabi Championship, PGA TOUR action, and top golf moments from Yas Links.
Golf fans were treated to a dramatic finish at the Abu Dhabi Championship where Aaron Ry from England snatched victory in a tense playoff against the formidable Tommy Fleetwood. But here’s where it gets controversial. Ry’s victory was not straightforward, and the key moments on the final day reveal just how unpredictable and nuance professional golf can be, even among the sports top players. Rye, after a two-month break, managed to claim his third DP World Tour title, his first since defeating Fleetwood at the 2020 Scottish Open and added a significant victory to his career. This win was particularly notable because Rye was temporarily derailed by a surprising missed putt near the end of regulation, which could have cost him the tournament. However, with resilience, he secured his win through clutch birdies, including nailing a crucial 10-ft putt on the first playoff hole, ultimately defeating Fleetwood. The tournament also featured a stunning performance from Rory Milroy, who started the back nine with five consecutive birdies before finishing with a brilliant 62, his lowest score on the DP World Tour. Despite finishing just one shot behind, Mroyy’s strong performance further cemented his lead in the race to Dubai, making him the favorite heading into the season finale next week. Fleetwood’s pursuit for his third international title this season was a highlight as well. His season has already been an impressive journey, including a stellar 4:1 record in the European Rider Cup and several memorable moments. At Abu Dhabi, he made a clutch 15- ft putt on the 16th hole for Birdie and narrowly stayed tied with Rye by sinking a similar putt for Par on the 17th. However, both players narrowly missed scoring opportunities on the final hole, a 616yd par five, turning the victory into a playoff. The playoff itself was a display of strategic play rather than power, as neither Ry nor Fleetwood could reach the green in two shots. Ry’s decisive birdie on the short path for hole sealed the win after Fleetwood missed his chance to tie. This victory also had significant implications for Ry’s career trajectory boosting him from 55th to 9th in the race to Dubai rankings thus assuring him a spot in the upcoming season ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai. Meanwhile, Mackilroy, who is defending his title next week, is now positioned to contend for his seventh European Tour victory and to solidify his status as Europe’s top golfer. British golfer Marco Penge also made waves with an impressive final round of 63, finishing tied for ninth, although he remains far behind the points leader. And this is the part most people miss in a sport often seen as just precision and patience. Unpredictable moments like rise missed putt or Fleetwood’s final missed eagle can turn the tide entirely. Would you agree that these subtle swings and small struggles are what make golf endlessly captivating? Or do you think the focus should solely be on the big shots? Share your thoughts below because the conversation about what truly determines victory in golf is always worth having.
