Aaron Rai Clinches Dramatic Victory at 2025 Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship
Abu Dhabi, 9th November 2025 – Englishman Aaron Rai captured the prestigious crown at the 20th edition of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship 2025, emerging victorious at Yas Links, Yas Island, amidst a large crowd and intense competition among the world’s top golf stars.
The tournament, spanning four days, formed a key part of both the Rolex Series and the DP World Tour Finals, featuring a field of 72 top-ranked players. The event was organised by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and DP World.
Rai’s triumph marks his first Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship title and his second Rolex Series trophy. He finished the tournament with an impressive 26 under par after an electrifying playoff with fellow Englishman Tommy Fleetwood—the 2017 and 2018 champion—who closed at 25 under par.
Third place honours went to Nicolai Højgaard of Denmark and Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy, a Grand Slam champion and current leader of the Race to Dubai, each finishing at 24 under par. This result brings McIlroy closer to clinching the DP World Tour title for the season.
The final day was marked by an electric atmosphere and high crowd engagement, especially during the high-stakes moments on the 18th hole, where the title was decided in a thrilling display of sporting excellence.
The awards ceremony was attended by notable figures including H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council; Major General (Ret.) Abdullah Al Hashemi, President of the UAE Golf Federation and Vice President of the Asian Federation; Abdulfattah Sharaf, Chairman of HSBC Middle East; Erik Nicolai, Chairman of the European Tour Group; and Guy Kinnings, CEO of the DP World Tour.
Precisely, H.H. Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed Al Nahyan lauded the championship’s outstanding success, emphasising, “Once again, Abu Dhabi confirms its uniqueness as a global destination for sport and athletes, by hosting major championships and presenting distinguished organisation, thanks to the unlimited support of our wise leadership and its far-sighted vision.” He further commended the leadership’s dedication to the sports sector and its role in promoting values of tolerance and engagement through sport, highlighting the championship’s contribution to both sports and tourism in Abu Dhabi.
He continued, “Since its launch, through 20 consecutive editions, the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship has contributed to the growth of the tourism sector in the emirate by attracting thousands of visitors and followers from various countries around the world.” He also underlined that Abu Dhabi’s advanced sports infrastructure—with its high-quality services, security, and stability—is a major factor in successfully hosting such global events, complemented by an environment of tolerance and peace.
Aref Hamad Al Awani, General Secretary of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, congratulated Rai and praised the distinguished organisation. Al Awani said, “Once again, the capital Abu Dhabi confirms its leadership of the global sports scene after an outstanding hosting of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship, with the participation of the world’s elite golfers within the Rolex Series and the DP World Tour Finals.” He also thanked the sponsors, strategic partners, organising committee, and volunteers for their efforts, and celebrated the large public turnout as well as the millions of worldwide viewers who followed the action.
Al Awani expressed the Council’s continued commitment to promoting the culture of golf in the emirate and region, aiming to attract younger generations to the sport through major championships.
The championship’s prize fund reached nearly USD 9 million, with Rai taking home USD 1.52 million and 1,500 points, the runner-up earning USD 980,000 and 1,000 points, and third place receiving USD 560,000 and 565 points.
Team V.4-EM-UAE
