Rai Makes Albatross, Shares Lead with Fleetwood in Abu Dhabi
ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Aaron Rai delivered an outstanding performance by holing out from 214 yards for an albatross during his 8-under-par 64, tying for the lead with fellow English golfer Tommy Fleetwood after Friday’s second round of the Abu Dhabi Championship.
Rai’s second shot on the par-5 second hole landed a few yards onto the green at Yas Links Golf Club before rolling directly into the cup.
“You couldn’t see it from the back of the fairway, so it was a nice surprise,”
said Rai, who played a bogey-free round, starting two shots behind the lead at one of the final events of the European Tour’s 2025 season.
Fleetwood, a champion at Abu Dhabi in 2017 and 2018, had also opened with a 64 and followed it with a 66 — boosted by birdies at his first three holes — reaching 14-under overall to join Rai at the top of the leaderboard.
“I’m having a lot of good rounds,”
Fleetwood said, reflecting on his solid finish to the season, which included being Europe’s top scorer in their Ryder Cup victory in September and winning the India Championship last month.
“But I’m not stupid, and it’s bitten me enough times.”
Three players — Andy Sullivan and Nicolai Hojgaard with 67s, and Richard Sterne with a 68 — trailed by two shots. Shane Lowry was part of a group one stroke further back after a 69.
World No. 2 Rory McIlroy carded a second consecutive 68, sitting six strokes behind the leaders at 8 under par.
Author’s Summary
Aaron Rai’s rare albatross propelled him into a share of the Abu Dhabi Championship lead with Tommy Fleetwood, highlighting both players’ strong form late in the European Tour season.