Jon Rahm Claims 11th Title in 92 Starts at Abu Dhabi Championship
By News Central Site ·
Jon Rahm has made a triumphant return to the DP World Tour, claiming his 11th title in just 92 starts at the Abu Dhabi Championship.
The Spaniard's victory marks a significant milestone in his career, putting him alongside Tiger Woods and Seve Ballesteros as one of the fastest players to achieve this feat. This achievement is all the more impressive given that Rahm has had to navigate a challenging period in his golfing journey.
Rahm's performance at Yas Links GC was nothing short of spectacular, with the golfer reaching 23 under par for the tournament. His dominance on the course ultimately led him to a two-stroke victory over Tyrrell Hatton, who finished as runner-up.
The Abu Dhabi Championship is one of the most prestigious events on the DP World Tour calendar, and Rahm's win has added significant weight to his resume just a week ahead of the DP World Tour Championship. This title also breaks a tie with Hatton for the most Rolex Series events won by an individual.
Rahm was visibly emotional when speaking about his victory, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to return to form on the DP World Tour. He acknowledged that it has been some time since he has played well in a tour event and that this win is all the more special given his recent challenges.
In reflection of his performance, Rahm highlighted a standout shot from the back nine as one of the highlights of his round, describing it as "a contender for shot of the year" for him.
Rahm's impressive performance at the Abu Dhabi Championship has not gone unnoticed, and it's given him a glimmer of hope for the DP World Tour Championship next week. According to the latest standings, Rahm would need Rory McIlroy to finish worse than second place and Eugenio Chacarra to finish outside eighth place in order to claim the title.
This is no small feat considering Rahm has won the DP World Tour Championship on three previous occasions, including a win in 2019 that also earned him the Race to Dubai. With his current form, it's clear that he still has what it takes to compete at the highest level, and this newfound opportunity may just give him an extra boost of motivation.
In fact, Rahm himself expressed surprise at being given a chance to win the championship, saying "I didn't think I would ever have a chance to win it" in a recent statement. However, he's now looking forward to the challenge ahead, and sees his current position as a welcome bonus.
With only one week left before the DP World Tour Championship, Rahm will need to stay focused and maintain his momentum if he hopes to emerge victorious. His playing partners, including Hatton and Francesco LaPorta, will undoubtedly be putting pressure on him from behind, but Rahm has shown that he's more than capable of rising to the occasion.
Rahm's recent performance at the Abu Dhabi Championship has been nothing short of impressive, with standout shots like his 184-yard approach at the 15th hole catching the eye. With this level of skill and determination, it's clear that Rahm is a force to be reckoned with on the course, and he'll stop at nothing to claim his fourth DP World Tour Championship title.
Rahm's victory at the Abu Dhabi Championship has catapulted him to sixth place in the season-long Race to Dubai standings, just four rounds away from the championship.
McIlroy, who narrowly missed out on winning, remains in contention for a record eighth title despite falling short of his goal. His third-place finish at 19 under has seen him leapfrog Patrick Reed and move into second position in the standings.
Reed's hopes of retaining his top spot in the Race to Dubai have been dealt a blow after being overtaken by McIlroy, while Casey Jarvis and Aaron Rai round out the top five. Rahm's impressive win has brought him significantly closer to challenging for the title.
McIlroy is now eyeing a major comeback as he prepares to compete at the DP World Tour Championship next week in Dubai. The six-time major champion remains confident of his chances, citing his goal of winning the championship and closing the gap on Eugenio Chacarra and Patrick Reed.
With this strong showing, McIlroy's determination is evident, and it will be exciting to see how he performs as he bids for a record eighth Race to Dubai title.
CBS Sports: https://www.cbssports.com/golf/news/jon-rahm-abu-dhabi-championship-2026-rory-mcilroy-tyrrell-hatton/
Originally published by News Central Site — Sports
