McIlroy gesture shows his true colours after Abu Dhabi Championship heartache

McIlroy Shows True Colours After Abu Dhabi Championship Heartache

Rory McIlroy narrowly missed winning the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship 2025, finishing one shot behind leaders Tommy Fleetwood and Aaron Rai at the Yas Links Golf Course. The tournament ended in a playoff between Fleetwood and Rai, both tied on a record 25-under total.

Playoff History and Congratulatory Gesture

As the two Englishmen prepared to face off again—having previously met in a DP World Tour playoff during the 2020 Scottish Open, where Rai prevailed—McIlroy congratulated them both and shook hands with Fleetwood, showing good sportsmanship even in defeat.

McIlroy’s Reflection on His Performance

Over the weekend, the five-time Major champion admitted he struggled with patience while trying to keep up with Rai’s pace. Speaking to the Irish Examiner, McIlroy said:

“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.”

Despite the disappointment, McIlroy’s graciousness and candor highlighted his professionalism and resilience.

Rory McIlroy’s sportsmanship and honest self-assessment after narrowly missing victory reveal his character beyond the scorecard.

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The Mirror The Mirror — 2025-11-09

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