Sun Nov 09 12:50:00 UTC 2025: Fleetwood Chases Third Abu Dhabi Championship Title as Rai Leads After Round Three
Abu Dhabi, UAE – Tommy Fleetwood, a two-time Abu Dhabi Championship winner (2017, 2018), is hot on the heels of leader Aaron Rai after a strong third round at Yas Links. Rai, currently at 20-under-par after a 66, holds a narrow one-shot lead over Fleetwood and Denmark’s Nicolai Hojgaard, who are tied for second at 19-under.
Fleetwood, who secured his first PGA Tour title in August and contributed to Europe’s Ryder Cup victory, carded a bogey-free 67, including two crucial birdies on the 16th and 18th holes.
“I am playing very good golf at the moment,” Fleetwood told the DP World Tour website. “This is what you practise for, these are the times of our lives and I am enjoying it very much.”
Nacho Elvira of Spain sits two shots back, while Englishmen Andy Sullivan and New Zealander Daniel Hillier are tied for fourth. Rory McIlroy, aiming for his seventh Race to Dubai title, is six shots adrift.
The Abu Dhabi Championship marks the first of two DP World Tour end-of-season playoff events, with implications for the Race to Dubai title. While McIlroy currently leads, Fleetwood faces a challenging path to victory, needing to win both playoff events and relying on McIlroy to falter.
First Piper 