English Duo Fleetwood and Rae Tie for Lead at Abu Dhabi Golf Championship

Tommy Fleetwood and Aaron Rai are tied for the lead at the 2025 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship after two rounds of play. Both English golfers sit at 14-under par heading into the weekend at Yas Links Golf Course on Yas Island, setting up what could be an exciting finish to the 20th edition of this tournament.

Fleetwood, currently ranked fifth in the world and a two-time champion here in 2017 and 2018, shot six-under par in Friday's second round. Rai, ranked 30th globally, had an even better day with an eight-under performance that vaulted him into the joint lead.

This tournament carries extra weight as part of the Rolex Series and serves as one of the final events in the DP World Tour's season-ending playoffs. The field includes only the top 72 players from this season's Race to Dubai rankings, making it one of the most competitive events on the European tour.

For Fleetwood, this represents a chance to claim his third Abu Dhabi title and add to his strong recent form. The Englishman has been consistent on tour this season and knows Yas Links well from his previous victories here. Rai, meanwhile, is looking to build on what has been a solid 2024 campaign and capture one of the biggest wins of his career.

The tournament's status as a Rolex Series event means it offers elevated prize money and ranking points. With the DP World Tour season winding down, strong performances here can significantly impact players' final standings in the Race to Dubai and their positioning for next season.

Both players will need to maintain their form over the weekend as the field behind them includes several other world-class competitors who remain within striking distance of the lead.