Jon Rahm holds a one-shot lead at 18 under par into the final round of the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, standing one clear of Tyrell Hatton and Francesco Laporta. Rory McIlroy, chasing a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title, sits two shots off the lead at 16 under par. The final round is scheduled to be broadcast live on Sky Sports Golf from 6.30am on Sunday.
McIlroy, who recently carded a career-high 11 birdies in his second round, had shared the lead earlier in the day. However, his momentum was interrupted when he bogeyed the par-three 17th hole. His five-under 67 also included a double-bogey six at the 10th, which broke a streak of seven birdies recorded between holes seven and 14.
Rahm secured his position at the top of the leaderboard with a six-under 66 on Saturday at Yas Links GC. This performance places him one shot ahead of Hatton and Laporta, who both carded a 67 to tie for second place. The competition remains tightly contested as the field prepares for the decisive final day.
Adam Scott continued his bogey-free tournament with a 66, moving him to 15 under par in fifth place. This places him one shot behind McIlroy in the standings. The leaderboard features three Masters champions in the top five, highlighting the elite quality of the current field.
The top five includes Rahm, the 2023 champion, McIlroy, who won in 2025 and 2026, and Scott, the 2013 winner. All three are in the mix going into the final day. The presence of multiple major champions underscores the high stakes of the event.
The two-week playoffs on the DP World Tour saw 70 players enter the $9m Abu Dhabi Championship. The top 50 ranked players will advance to the $10m finals event in Dubai next week. McIlroy is currently projected to rise to No 2 in the Road to Dubai rankings.
Eugenio Chacarra fired a five-under 67 on Saturday to find himself tied for 29th in Abu Dhabi at eight under. His performance keeps him in contention for the final rankings. The competition for the top spots remains intense as players battle for position.
