Aaron Rai secured a massive victory at the Yas Links Abu Dhabi Golf Club on November 9, winning the 2025 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. The English golfer finished the tournament tied with fellow countryman Tommy Fleetwood at 25 under par. The two competed in a tense playoff, which Rai won by birdieing the very first hole.
It was a huge moment for the 30-year-old, who embraced Fleetwood on the playoff green after sealing the win. In a post-match interview, Rai praised Fleetwood, calling him not only one of the best golfers in the world but also an incredible person.
Flushing It Golf reported Rai’s comments on their latest X post, quoting him as saying, “He’s an unbelievable player, and an even better person.” The battle between the two Englishmen was described as pure class by the golf media.
In another interview, Rai discussed his mindset during the final round. He revealed that he wasn’t focusing on Fleetwood’s performance or leaderboard position, but instead concentrated solely on his own game to give it his best effort. As quoted by ASAP Sports, Rai said,
“Honestly, I wasn’t really paying that much attention to where Tommy was. I knew I had to just stick in there to finish strong myself to even have any kind of chance. Making that up-and-down on 15, hit a great approach shot into 16. Made a putt, and that definitely helped to give confidence and belief to have a chance.”
Following his impressive victory, Rai also shared how his wife played a crucial role in his success. He stated that her influence on him was “absolutely huge.”
Rai had been searching for a win for over a year, with his last title coming at the 2024 Wyndham Championship in August 2024. Reflecting on his recent triumph, Rai told ASAP Sports:
“Huge, absolutely huge. It’s hard for me to really sum up how much of an effect she’s had on me as a person, and also that actually fed into my golf. This year has been truly special with us getting married, caddying for her, being with her, getting married, practising, and playing together. It’s just a peaceful thing to be able to share different parts of our lives with one another and be with each other every step of the way. Yeah, very special.”
For his outstanding performance, Aaron Rai earned a generous $1,520,000 from the tournament’s $9 million prize pool, marking a significant milestone in his professional career.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/golf/news-aaron-rai-shares-take-tommy-fleetwood-beating-abu-dhabi-hsbc-championship-playoffs
