McIlroy gesture shows his true colours after Abu Dhabi Championship heartache
Rory McIlroy came close to victory at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship 2025 but ultimately missed out by a single shot, finishing just behind Tommy Fleetwood and Aaron Rai, who advanced to a playoff after reaching a tournament record of 25-under.
Despite the disappointment, McIlroy demonstrated sportsmanship by congratulating both players and shaking hands with Fleetwood. The two English golfers have a history of tough battles, having previously met in a playoff at the 2020 Scottish Open, where Rai triumphed after Fleetwood bogeyed the first extra hole.
McIlroy’s reflections
Speaking to the Irish Examiner, McIlroy admitted to battling frustration during the final rounds as Rai maintained his lead.
"It seems like the last seven holes haven't really given me much this week. I made bogey on 14, trying to go for the green, but finished well. And yeah, it sort of feels like a week that I left a few out there every day. Even today, I felt like today was the best that I played. After 11, it could have been a really good round and stalled a little bit. That's the reason that I'm six back from Aaron and Nico at this point."
His words highlighted both the competitive nature of the event and his honest self-assessment after a tough finish at Yas Links Golf Course.
Author’s Summary
McIlroy’s poise after a narrow loss in Abu Dhabi underlined both his humility and deep respect for fellow competitors.