Jon Rahm secured a two-shot victory at the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship after holding off former LIV Golf team-mate Tyrrell Hatton and Masters champion Rory McIlroy at Yas Links GC. Playing in his tournament debut, the Spanish golfer carded a five-under 67 on Sunday to finish on 23 under par and claim a record sixth Rolex Series victory.
Championship Sunday Battle
Rahm entered the final day holding a one-shot lead but temporarily lost his overnight advantage as Hatton, McIlroy, and Francesco Laporta all moved into the lead at various stages during an eventful round. Hatton finished the tournament in second place, while McIlroy ended four strokes back in third after shooting a final round that featured an opening birdie-eagle sequence. Laporta finished in fourth position on 17 under par.
McIlroy’s strong finish moved him past Patrick Reed into second place in the season-long standings, closing the gap on Eugenio Chacarra. Meanwhile, Rahm’s victory marked his first win since departing LIV Golf and kept him in contention to win the Race to Dubai.
How the Contenders Fared
McIlroy started his final round strongly by driving the green at the first hole and sinking a long putt for eagle at the second. Despite dropping a shot on the third and a bogey at the sixth, he bounced back with consecutive birdies on the back nine to create a three-way tie at the top. However, a cold putter on the back nine and a missed par putt at the 15th ended his title hopes.
Laporta’s challenge ended with a triple-bogey at the par-three 13th. Rahm maintained his composure, birdieing the 15th to stay two shots ahead of Hatton and securing victory with pars across the final three holes.
“It’s been quite a while since I’ve played good in a DP World Tour event!” Rahm said, as reported by SkySports. “As far as I’m concerned, except the shot on 17, I played a pretty flawless back nine. After everything that’s gone on, and some poor play, and some battles mentally, with a lot of noise, to come back out [and win] after a little bit of rest after having a new baby, it’s quite special.”
Race to Dubai Standings
With Race to Dubai leader Chacarra finishing tied-22nd and Patrick Reed tied-43rd, McIlroy moved within 533.93 points of the top spot as he chases a record-equalling eighth Order of Merit title. “It was a week where I felt like I had my chances,” McIlroy said, according to SkySports. “Especially today, birdieing 10 and 11 on the back to get tied for the lead, then I had two good chances on 12 and 13 and didn’t make those. Had to scramble for par on 14 and then I just couldn’t keep my momentum going.”
The DP World Tour season concludes next week with the DP World Tour Championship, featuring the top 50 available players in the Race to Dubai standings.
