Brief
Aaron Rai to defend Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship
The Englishman, fresh from a PGA Championship win, will lead the DP World Tour Play‑Offs field from Nov 5‑8.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Major champion Aaron Rai is set to defend his Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship crown at Yas Links from November 5‑8, according to Gulf News.
What happened
Rai, 31, won the PGA Championship in May at Aronimink Golf Club, becoming the first Englishman in 107 years to lift the Wanamaker Trophy. He followed that with a second Rolex Series victory at Yas Links last November, beating Tommy Fleetwood in a playoff. The upcoming tournament will also host the DP World Tour Play‑Offs, with the top 70 players from the Race to Dubai Rankings invited and the leading 50 advancing to the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai the following week.
What the reports add
The article notes that general admission is free for the first two days, while tickets for the final two days start at AED 75. Premium options include a Bar on Nine package, promotional tickets from AED 170 (including a AED 100 food‑and‑drink voucher), and a Championship Chalet on the 18th with five‑star hospitality starting at AED 1,680.
What was said
Rai said, “Winning at Yas Links last year was a really special moment for me, so I’m really looking forward to going back and defending the title,” as reported by Gulf News.
How it came about
Rai’s rise this season has seen him climb to fifth in the Race to Dubai Rankings, bolstered by strong major‑championship performances that also earned him the inaugural Rory McIlroy Award for the most Race to Dubai points across the four majors.
Key facts
- Aaron Rai will defend the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship at Yas Links from Nov 5‑8. (gulfnews.com)
- Rai won the PGA Championship in May, becoming the first Englishman in 107 years to claim the Wanamaker Trophy. (gulfnews.com)
- General admission is free for the first two days; tickets for the final two days start at AED 75. (gulfnews.com)
- Premium hospitality options start at AED 1,680 for the Championship Chalet on the 18th. (gulfnews.com)
- Rai sits fifth in the Race to Dubai Rankings and received the inaugural Rory McIlroy Award. (gulfnews.com)
Sources
- [1] gulfnews.com — originally reported as “Aaron Rai Returns to Abu Dhabi as Major Champion to Defend Aldar Championship Title”
