Jon Rahm beats Rory McIlroy to win Abu Dhabi Championship in first start since LIV Golf exit

Jon Rahm captured the Abu Dhabi Championship title in his first start on the DP World Tour since parting ways with LIV Golf, finishing at 23 under par and edging out Tyrrell Hatton by two strokes at Yas Links Golf Club.

The Spaniard's triumph, his 11th on the DP World Tour and achieved in only 92 starts, positions him as the third-fastest player to reach this milestone behind Tiger Woods and Seve Ballesteros. This victory also elevated Rahm’s tally of Rolex Series event wins to six, surpassing Hatton for the most in tour history.

Rahm’s commanding performance was highlighted by a nearly flawless back nine, including a standout 184-yard approach shot on the par-4 15th hole, which set up a critical birdie and helped maintain his lead in the tournament’s final stretch.

His victory followed a season marked by challenges and transitions, including battles with form and mental focus, as well as adjusting to life after joining LIV Golf in 2026. Rahm credited a period of rest and the arrival of a new family member for helping him regain his competitive edge.

Despite his association with LIV Golf, Rahm remains a contender for the DP World Tour’s season-long Race to Dubai title. Following this win, he advanced dramatically in the standings, moving from 51st to 6th place heading into the final event of the season, the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.

To claim the Race to Dubai crown, Rahm must win the DP World Tour Championship and rely on Rory McIlroy finishing worse than second and current leader Eugenio Chacarra placing outside the top eight. Rahm has previously won the DP World Tour Championship three times and secured the Race to Dubai title in 2019.

Rory McIlroy, who finished third in Abu Dhabi at 19 under par, narrowed the points deficit to Chacarra and climbed to second place in the Race to Dubai standings. McIlroy’s effort keeps him in contention for an eighth Race to Dubai title, despite falling behind Rahm in this particular event.

The tournament saw other contenders like Francesco Laporta apply pressure early, but poor play across key holes knocked them out of contention, leaving the competition primarily between Rahm and Hatton down the stretch.

This win marks Rahm’s return to form on the DP World Tour, where he has historically excelled. His ability to dominate a Rolex Series event after a challenging period underscores his resilience and potential to impact the tour’s closing stages.

Rahm’s jump in the Race to Dubai standings underscores the importance of late-season momentum in professional golf, where a single victory can dramatically alter the leaderboard ahead of major championship events.

His performance also highlights the competitive dynamics between players affiliated with different tours, showing that former LIV Golf members can still achieve significant success on the DP World Tour.

Rahm’s focus now turns to defending his title at the DP World Tour Championship, where another strong showing could further solidify his standing in the season-long competition and enhance his legacy within European professional golf.

The outcome of next week’s championship remains open, with multiple players still in contention for top honors. Rahm’s recent victory injects fresh excitement into the final stages of the season and sets the stage for a high-stakes battle in Dubai.

The Abu Dhabi Championship victory thus serves as both a personal milestone for Rahm and a strategic advantage as he pursues one of golf’s most prestigious season-long awards.