Rahm wins Abu Dhabi and revives Race to Dubai hopes

Jon Rahm won the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship by two shots on Sunday, finishing at 23-under par and moving back into contention for the Race to Dubai title before next week’s season-ending event in Dubai.

Rahm closed with a five-under 67 at Yas Links to finish ahead of Tyrrell Hatton, who carded a 68 and ended at 21-under. Rory McIlroy finished third at 19-under after a closing 69. The victory was Rahm’s 11th DP World Tour title and sixth Rolex Series win, both career milestones.

The result transformed Rahm’s position in the season-long standings. He began the Abu Dhabi week 51st and rose to sixth, with 2,525.45 points, according to the published rankings after the tournament. Leader Eugenio Chacarra had 4,243.79 points, while McIlroy was second on 3,709.86 and Patrick Reed third on 3,528.62.

The Race to Dubai will be decided at the DP World Tour Championship, which begins next week at Jumeirah Golf Estates. The winner will receive 2,000 points, leaving Rahm with a mathematical route to a second season title. His chances depend on his own result and those of the players ahead of him. Rahm said he had not expected to have a chance and that he would need to win again.