Tommy Fleetwood’s Sunday in Abu Dhabi ended in heartbreak as he lost to Aaron Rai in a playoff at Yas Links. But what caught everyone off guard wasn’t the loss but the chatter that followed. During Sky Sports’ coverage, someone threw around the word “gamesmanship,” and suddenly, Fleetwood’s name was being linked to something that didn’t quite fit his image. But just as the confusion started to build, an insider stepped in to set things straight.

“He went to the loo and was then stopped by a fan!!” wrote James Corrigan, a golf correspondent, taking to his X account. 

As it turned out, the whole thing started over a brief delay at the 18th tee. Fleetwood appeared to make Aaron Rai wait before the playoff began, which led Sky Sports commentators to question his intentions. Andrew Coltart remarked, “This is what I don’t like. To me, they’ve both got to arrive at the tee at the same time… it gives the person who arrives last an advantage.” On-course analyst Wayne Riley chimed in, calling it “a little gamesmanship, clever.” In that moment, it looked like Fleetwood was being accused of slowing things down to unsettle his opponent, a charge that didn’t sit right. And so, even Fleetwood himself had addressed the whole issue. 

“I did see the comments, actually, just before,” he said, as quoted by Bunkered. “I don’t know in what context it was said. I didn’t hear it. I read it. Either way, if there’s a certain side of journalism where it’s conveyed, I feel like it’s disappointing.” When asked if he had any issues with the remarks, Fleetwood clarified:

“Not to Andrew. I think very highly of him. I think he’s amazing. I’ve read one little piece and I’m not going to accuse anybody of meaning anything by it. I’m just saying from my point of view. I had just played with Aaron for 36 holes; we are unbelievably close and unbelievably supportive of each other in our careers.” He then explained what actually happened:

“We walked off the 18th and I was desperate to go to the toilet. I said to Miguel [Viador, tournament director], ‘Can I please go to the toilet?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ I ran to the toilet; ran to the tee. I think everybody knows or I would hope that everybody knows that I wouldn’t do anything like that, and I think the world of Aaron, as well.”

The Abu Dhabi Championship marked the penultimate stop on the 2025 European Tour, with Fleetwood still firmly in the mix near the top of the standings. Fresh off his win at the inaugural World India Championship last month, the Englishman currently sits tenth overall, while Rory McIlroy continues to lead the rankings.

Fleetwood will now turn his focus to the season-ending World Tour Championship in Dubai, where he’s set to tee off alongside Rai at 8 a.m. UK time on Thursday. “This is the last event I’m going to play this year. It has been a great year,” he said. “So yeah, this will be an amazing way to finish, for sure.” 

As for Abu Dhabi, Rai handled the brief delay with composure and went on to beat his close friend in the playoff. Leaving no room for controversy, he even heaped praises in his post-victory comments.

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Aaron Rai praises Tommy Fleetwood after playoff victory at Yas Link

Sinking a seven-foot birdie putt at the first play-off hole, Rai grabbed the win against Fleetwood at the Yas Links golf course. While Fleetwood tried to maintain his rising career graph, he finished the round with a par, allowing Aaron Rai to secure the top prize of $1.53 million.

Emerging triumphant against the 34-year-old golfer, Rai reflected on the championship and stated, “It’s hard to sum up. I was so focused, just tried to stay in the zone.” Furthermore, he shared how his experience was playing against Fleetwood as his rival.

“Just amazing to be standing here. Obviously Tommy is a phenomenal player and he’s an even better person than he is a player, and that says a lot. To play with him the last two days, and to be able to be in a play-off with him was really special as well”, added Rai.

Now, the Indian origin Briton will head into Dubai on Thursday as the Tour’s newest winner, ending a five-year wait for victory.