Jon Rahm wins Abu Dhabi by two strokes, first DP World Tour title in four years

Jon Rahm won the Abu Dhabi Championship on Sunday by two strokes over Tyrrell Hatton, taking his first DP World Tour title in four years and first victory since announcing his LIV Golf exit.

Rahm began the final round with a one-stroke advantage and shot a 5-under 67, finishing 23 under at Yas Links.

Four players shared the lead early on the back nine before Rahm made three birdies across five holes, starting at the 11th. At the 15th, his 184-yard approach landed 2 feet away, setting up a birdie that preserved his two-shot advantage, the DP World Tour said.

"THAT IS RIDICULOUS" 🤯

Jon Rahm puts his 184-yard approach at the 15th to 2ft to set up another birdie and maintain a two shot lead 👏#AbuDhabiChamps | #RolexSeries

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) November 8, 2026

“As far as I’m concerned, except the (tee) shot on No. 17, I played a pretty flawless round,” Rahm said.

The result lifted Rahm from outside the top 50 to sixth in the Race to Dubai, although only a win at the season finale would give him a chance at the title.

“Actually gives me a little extra incentive next week. I really didn't think I was going to have a chance,” Rahm said.

The tournament marked Rahm’s return after seven weeks away and brought him a $1.5 million winner’s check, The Associated Press reported. Last month, his wife gave birth to their second daughter, their fourth child.

Rahm had finished at the foot of the leaderboard in his preceding start, the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. He told Sky Sports the victory was special after poor play, mental struggles and noise, followed by a break from competition.

LIV Golf announced plans this week to wind down operations. Rahm has been finalizing his exit from the league, a departure that will cost him millions of dollars he is owed, the AP reported.

Ahead of the tournament, Rahm said he would welcome a PGA Tour return deal like Brooks Koepka’s, despite rejecting the same offer about a year ago, Golfweek reported.

Rory McIlroy joined the lead early Sunday, following a birdie on the first hole with an eagle on the second.

RORY EAGLES THE SECOND TO JOIN THE LEAD! #AbuDhabiChamps | #RolexSeries

— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) November 8, 2026

A wayward approach at the 15th led to a bogey and slowed McIlroy’s charge.

Francesco Laporta, 36, of Italy, had dropped out of contention at the par-3 13th with a triple bogey, losing four shots over two holes. Laporta had led after the second round while pursuing a first DP World Tour title, but finished fourth alone at 17 under.

Hatton finished at 21 under after a 68 without a bogey, though his 24-foot birdie attempt at the 17th came up inches short. Rahm protected his two-shot lead by playing safely for par on the par-5 18th.

McIlroy’s 69 left him third at 19 under, giving him an 11th top-three finish at a tournament he has never won.

“I would have loved to have won the tournament, but enough positive signs to feel good going into next week,” McIlroy said.

McIlroy, 37, is chasing an eighth Race to Dubai title to equal Colin Montgomerie, who won his titles when the standings were known as the Order of Merit.

With one event remaining, McIlroy passed Patrick Reed for second in the Race to Dubai, trailing only Eugenio Chacarra. The AP estimated his deficit to Chacarra at almost 534 points.

The season-ending DP World Tour Championship starts Thursday on the Earth course at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, with 2,000 points for the winner and 1,335 for second.

Chacarra, a 26-year-old Spaniard playing his first full season, finished 11 under in a three-way tie for 22nd.

Reed tied for 43rd in the 70-man field.