ABU DHABI HSBC GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

November 9, 2025

Aaron Rai

Q. How are you feeling after such an up-and-down round?

AARON RAI: It's been amazing doing interviews and pictures but I haven't had time for it to sink in and summarize exactly how it feels. I mean, it's very special.

Any time you win on the DP World Tour, it's a real accomplishment. The fields are strong. There's so much work that goes into a tournament and so much work that goes into weeks away from the tournament. To win a Rolex Series Event, an event the size of this tournament, this strong of a field is really special. Yeah, amazing to be here.

Q. How did you come back from 14? Was it a mental reset? Just keep going and playing well?

AARON RAI: My caddie, Jason, was great with me. Walking down the 15th, he played a big part in just helping me through that period. It was a little bit of a shock to miss that putt.

Yeah, he just kind of helped me switch the focus and stay in the present, as cliché as that sounds, and to turn our attention to the shots ahead of us and the next few holes. He was the biggest part in that.

Q. The next few holes, did you feel that momentum?

AARON RAI: Honestly, I wasn't really paying that much attention to where Tommy was. I knew I had to just stick in there to finish strong myself to even have any kind of chance. Making that up-and-down on 15, hit a great approach shot into 16. Made a putt and that definitely helped to give confidence and belief to have a chance.

Q. The playoff hole, is there anything that you were doing mentally to prepare or just going through the motions as always?

AARON RAI: Yeah, as much as possible, kind of went through the same processes. Obviously it's a slightly different scenario because it's just between two players but you still have to play a good hole regardless. It does feel different, but as much as we can stay in our process tried to do that.

Q. How would you sum up your 2025 after this?

AARON RAI: Yeah, it's been an amazing year off the course, first and foremost, with getting married, it's been a beautiful year with a lot of beautiful celebrations. And on the course, a very consistent year up until kind of Wentworth. It was great to play well at Wentworth, and obviously here to go one step further and to win this week.

A great year off the course and a great year on the course and one that I'll always remember.

Q. After next week, I think you said you're on the honeymoon. One more week and then nice relaxing time off?

AARON RAI: Yeah, exactly, a little bit of time off after next week. It's been a really busy year with kind of off the course, getting married, planning and preparation that goes into that, and still playing a full season on the course. Been fortunate enough to play many some really big events this year. It been pretty intense on the course and looking forward to a little bit of time.