Fleetwood Inches Closer to Abu Dhabi Title
Tommy Fleetwood produced a strong finish to his third round at the Abu Dhabi Championship, firing two crucial birdies on the final three holes to move to 19 under par, just one shot behind fellow Englishman Aaron Rai, who leads the tournament heading into Sunday’s final round.
Fleetwood’s round of 67 was bogey-free and highlighted by a front-nine eagle and a birdie, alongside two late birdies on holes 16 and 18. Despite missing a few birdie opportunities earlier in the round, his composed finish keeps him firmly in contention for his first Abu Dhabi Championship title since winning in 2017 and 2018.
Aaron Rai’s Stellar 66 Keeps Him on Top
Aaron Rai, who claimed the PGA Tour’s Wyndham Championship last year, carded a six-under-par 66 at Yas Links. Rai’s performance included seven birdies, with only a single dropped shot coming on the penultimate hole, bringing his total to 20 under par. Rai’s consistent play under pressure has positioned him as the favorite going into the final day.
Ryder Cup Stars in the Mix
Ryder Cup teammates Fleetwood and Nicolai Hojgaard now share second place at 19 under after Hojgaard shot his second 65 of the week. Fleetwood’s recent form has been impressive, following his maiden PGA Tour title at the Tour Championship in August, a strong showing in the Ryder Cup in September, and his first DP World Tour win of the season in India last month.
Fleetwood commented on his current form, stating:
“I am playing very good golf at the moment and I have found myself in this position a lot throughout the summer, but I never take it for granted. This is what you practise for, these are the times of our lives and I am enjoying it very much.”
Other Contenders in the Field
Spain’s Nacho Elvira is two shots off the lead after posting a 65, while England’s Andy Sullivan and New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier are tied for fourth at 17 under par. Meanwhile, Rory McIlroy finished six shots back following his round of 66 but remains in pole position to win a seventh Race to Dubai title as the season’s top golfer on the DP World Tour.
Abu Dhabi Championship Stakes
The Abu Dhabi Championship marks the first of two DP World Tour end-of-season play-off events, with the top 70 players competing this week and the top 50 advancing to next week’s finale in Dubai. A total of 9,000 points are available this week, with 12,000 more on offer in Dubai, keeping the Harry Vardon Trophy race wide open.
McIlroy currently leads the Race to Dubai standings by just under 500 points over Marco Penge, who sits on 11 under for the week after a double bogey on the 18th. Fleetwood, nearly 2,800 points behind McIlroy, would need to win both play-off events to have any realistic chance of claiming the overall title.
Looking Ahead to Sunday’s Final Round
As Fleetwood, Rai, Hojgaard, and others prepare for Sunday’s decisive round at Yas Links, golf fans can expect an intense battle for the Abu Dhabi Championship. Fleetwood’s late surge demonstrates his ability to handle pressure, while Rai’s consistency will make him a formidable leader to chase.
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