Tommy Fleetwood continued his strong form at the 2025 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, carding a six-under-par 66 on Friday to match his opening round of 64. The two-time winner of the event now sits tied atop the leaderboard with fellow Englishman Aaron Rai at 14-under through 36 holes. The tournament is being held at Yas Links Golf Club in the United Arab Emirates, and Fleetwood’s consistent performance has positioned him as a top contender heading into the weekend.
Fleetwood’s Flawless Start and Steady Control
Fleetwood opened his second round with three straight birdies and finished with seven birdies against a single bogey.
- 🏌️♂️ Round 2 score: 66 (-6)
- 🎯 Total: 14-under through two rounds
- ⛳ Key stat: 13 birdies over 36 holes
Fleetwood credited his team’s work in controlling the ball from the rough, telling reporters, “Fast starts are key on this course, and we executed well.”
Aaron Rai’s Historic Albatross Shakes Up Leaderboard
Rai matched Fleetwood’s total with a dramatic albatross on the par-5 second hole, holing out from 218 yards.
- 🦅 Albatross: Second hole, second shot
- 🗣 Rai: “A nice surprise from the fairway”
- 🤝 Fleetwood and Rai will be paired together in Round 3
The rare feat instantly elevated Rai into contention and set the stage for a thrilling duel.
Chasing Pack Remains Within Striking Distance
Several players remain close behind:
- 🏌️♂️ Andy Sullivan, Nicolai Hojgaard, Richard Sterne: 12-under
- 🏆 Shane Lowry: 11-under
- 🌍 Rory McIlroy: 10-under after two rounds
McIlroy, ranked No. 2 in the world, shot consecutive rounds of 68 and remains a threat despite trailing by four strokes.
Fleetwood’s Confidence High Heading Into Weekend
Fleetwood expressed satisfaction with his ability to follow a low round with another, a challenge he acknowledged as mentally demanding.
- 🧠 Fleetwood: “It’s about staying relentless and minimizing errors”
- 🏆 Aiming for third Abu Dhabi title
- 📈 Coming off DP World India Championship win
His experience and composure make him a favorite heading into the final rounds.
