Rahm Leads Abu Dhabi Championship by One Shot Entering Final Round
Jon Rahm shot a six-under-par 66 at Yas Links to take a one-shot lead into the final round of the Abu Dhabi Championship. Tyrrell Hatton and Francesco Laporta share second place, while Rory McIlroy is two shots behind after a 67.
Jon Rahm leads the Abu Dhabi Championship by one shot going into Sunday’s final round at Yas Links, keeping Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton within reach in the Abu Dhabi golf title race.
Rahm shot a six-under-par 66 in the third round to move to 18 under. Hatton and Francesco Laporta are tied for second on 17 under, while McIlroy sits fourth on 16 under after a 67.
Rahm holds the lead
Rahm shared the overnight lead with Hatton and Laporta, but pulled clear on Saturday. Hatton briefly joined him at the top after making his seventh birdie of the day on the 14th.
Rahm regained the outright lead on the 15th with a curling 20-foot birdie putt. He finished without dropping a shot and narrowly missed another birdie chance at the last.
The Spaniard is pursuing his first Abu Dhabi Championship win and his first solo tournament victory since the Masters in 2023. He recently said he does not know what 2027 holds after leaving the LIV tour.
McIlroy and Hatton stay close
McIlroy made eight birdies in his third round, but a double bogey at the par-four 10th and another dropped shot on the 17th left him two shots back. He had received a two-shot penalty in the opening round for improving his lie before a chip shot.
The six-time major winner said he expects to need a low score on Sunday. “There are low ones [scores] out there and I am going to have to shoot a low one - something in the mid to low 60s - to get it done tomorrow and that will be the goal,” McIlroy said.
Hatton said he was ready to challenge Rahm again after they played together with Laporta in Saturday’s final group. The three will be in the final group again on Sunday.
“Naturally we are going to want to beat each other. Hopefully I can get off to a good start and put him under some pressure,” Hatton said.
Scott climbs to fifth
Laporta carded a 67 without a bogey and is seeking his first DP World Tour title. The Italian shot 10 under par to lead after the first round.
Adam Scott also went bogey-free through three rounds. His 66 lifted him to fifth on 15 under, one shot ahead of Matthew Jordan and David Puig, who are tied on 14 under.
