Fleetwood and Rai Claim Lead at 2025 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship

Post by : Mina Rahman

At the conclusion of day two of the 2025 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, Tommy Fleetwood and fellow Englishman Aaron Rai find themselves tied for the lead at Yas Links, showcasing exceptional skill.

Fleetwood, who shared the lead after the first round, initiated his second round brilliantly, securing three birdies in his initial holes. The two-time champion of the event and current FedEx Cup titleholder wrapped up the day with a score of 66, tallying seven birdies alongside a lone bogey on hole 15, placing him at 14 under par.

Joining him at the top is World Number 30 Aaron Rai, who delivered an immaculate round of 64. Rai's remarkable performance featured five birdies and an eye-catching albatross on the par-five second hole. From 218 yards away, he holed his approach shot with a six-iron, achieving one of golf's rarest accomplishments, much to the delight of the spectators.

They hold a two-stroke lead over their nearest competitors Andy Sullivan, Nicolai Højgaard, and Richard Sterne, with 2019 champion Shane Lowry trailing by another stroke.

Fleetwood began the day tied with four others but found himself briefly chasing after a strong start by early competitor Nacho Elvira. However, Fleetwood swiftly regained control, carding birdies on the first three holes to reclaim a share of the lead. He took the lead outright with a birdie on the par-five seventh, further extending it with a birdie on the 11th hole.

Lowry matched Fleetwood's tally with a birdie on 13 but fell back after a double bogey on the 14th. Meanwhile, Fleetwood cushioned his lead to two shots with a birdie on 14 before slipping back to a tie after a bogey on the 15th. Nevertheless, he redeemed himself with a birdie on the 16th, maintaining his position at the summit alongside Rai.

As the tournament unfolds with two rounds remaining, the contest for the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship title promises to be exhilarating.