Golf World: Rai Claims Dramatic Abu Dhabi Title; Top Austrian Amateur Lang Begins Pro Journey

The professional golf world saw high-stakes drama and the launch of a promising new career this week. In Abu Dhabi, England’s Aaron Rai clinched the HSBC Championship in a sudden-death playoff against his countryman Tommy Fleetwood. Meanwhile, in Rome, Austria’s top amateur, Fabian Lang, is taking his first official steps as a professional.

Rai Triumphs in Tense Playoff
The excitement in Abu Dhabi peaked as Aaron Rai and Tommy Fleetwood both finished 72 holes of regulation play tied at an impressive 25-under par. This deadlock forced a playoff, sending both players back to the par-5 18th hole.

Rai managed to secure a birdie on the extra hole. Fleetwood, needing to match it, saw his own birdie putt narrowly miss the cup, handing the 30-year-old Rai the victory. The win marks Rai’s third title on the DP World Tour and comes with a prize check of roughly 1.3 million Euros.

In a strange coincidence, Rai’s last victory, which came at the 2020 Aberdeen Scottish Open, was also secured in a playoff against Fleetwood.

The tournament had been competitive from the start. After the first day, five players, including Shane Lowry and Fleetwood, shared the lead with identical scores of 64. By the halfway mark, however, it was just Rai and Fleetwood who had pulled away to lead the field at 14-under, setting the stage for their eventual final-day duel.

Girrbach Caps Career-Best Season
Also competing in the exclusive playoff event was Joel Girrbach of Switzerland, who finished the tournament on a high note, capping off his best season to date. The 32-year-old had a volatile week, opening with a solid 69 before a par-round on day two saw him fall back.

Girrbach rallied impressively on Moving Day, firing the third-best score of the day, a 65, which vaulted him back up the leaderboard. Despite a second double-bogey of the tournament in his final round, he finished at 12-under par in a tie for 39th place, earning nearly 50,000 Euros. This performance secured his 60th-place finish in the yearly rankings, a new high-water mark for a Swiss golfer.

A New Pro Enters the Ranks
As established pros like Rai and Girrbach were closing out their seasons, Austria’s Fabian Lang was just beginning his. The 22-year-old, who dominated the Austrian amateur rankings, is in Rome this week to officially turn professional and compete in the Alps Tour qualifying school. His immediate goal is to gain a foothold on what is Europe’s third-tier professional circuit.

The Road to Rome
Lang explained that he had considered turning pro a year ago but ultimately didn’t feel prepared. He felt he was missing a key international victory to give him the necessary confidence.

That all changed this August when he won the international French Amateur Championships, finishing with a commanding six-stroke lead. “This success gave me enormous self-confidence,” Lang stated.

While he also earned starts in two DP World Tour events this season, Lang was not satisfied with his results. He realistically assessed that the top-tier tour is “still one size too big” for him at this moment, which solidified his decision to begin his journey on the Alps Tour.

Lang opted for a road trip, driving to Rome on Saturday and arriving Sunday. After two practice rounds, his qualification quest begins Wednesday. The format requires one round at Golf Nazionale and one at Terre dei Consoli GC, with the top 65 players after two rounds advancing to the final stage.

Building a Pro Career
If he successfully qualifies, Lang anticipates playing in around 18 tournaments next season. “I want to get used to pro life and make the first steps on the Alps Tour,” he said. A personal highlight on the calendar would be the Gösser Open in Maria Lankowitz next May.

In addition to the Alps Tour schedule, Lang expects to receive several invitations from the Austrian Golf Association to gain further experience on the HotelPlanner Tour. Throughout this transition, he will continue to work with his longtime coach, Dominic Angkawidjaja.