Jon Rahm completed a successful return to the DP World Tour by recording a two-stroke victory at the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship on Sunday in the United Arab Emirates.
Rahm, of Spain, carded a 5-under-par 67 on Sunday to finish 23-under 265 at Yas Links GC and pocket the winner’s check of $1.53 million. The two-time major winner, who finished ahead of Ryder Cup teammate Tyrrell Hatton (68 on Sunday), was playing in his first event on the European Tour since exiting the LIV Golf tour last month.
Rahm’s victory was his 11th DP World Tour win in his 92nd start.
It also served as his sixth Rolex Series title, having won the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open twice and the DP World Tour Championship three times. He won the latter in 2022 before moving to LIV Golf.
“It means a lot,” Rahm said. “I’m almost not letting myself believe it because it’s been quite a while since I played good in a DP World Tour event and my last showing, if we don’t count withdrawals, I think I finished last.
“So last to first, it’s a pretty good feeling.”
Rahm moved up from 51st to sixth place in the Race to Dubai Rankings.
“After everything that’s gone on and some poor play, battles mentally with the noise, to come back out after a little bit of rest .. it’s special,” Rahm said.
Rory McIlroy (69) started with a birdie and an eagle to put pressure on Rahm. But Rahm escaped a four-way tie with McIlroy, Hatton and Italy’s Francesco Laporta (72) by carding three birdies in a five-hole stretch, beginning at No. 11.
The World No. 2, McIlroy finished in third place in this tournament at 19-under and slid into second place in the Race to Dubai Rankings, trailing only Eugenio Chacarra of Spain.
McIlroy is bidding to match Colin Montgomerie with a record eight Race to Dubai titles. The winner will be determined next weekend at the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai.
“It was sort of a week where I felt like I had my chances,” McIlroy said. “You know, especially today, birdieing 10 and 11 on the back to get tied for the lead, and then I had two good chances, 12 and 13, and didn’t make those. Had to scramble for par on 14. And then, yeah, I just couldn’t keep my momentum going.
“But it was a good week. I saw some encouraging signs in the game. You know, I’m going to be in that final group going out on Thursday next week (at the DP World Tour Championship). So yeah, I obviously would have loved to have won the tournament, but enough positive signs to feel good about going into next week.”
Chacarra (69) finished tied for 22nd this week.