- Jon Rahm holds a narrow one-shot lead at 18 under par after a bogey-free 66 in the third round of the Abu Dhabi Championship.
- Ryder Cup teammates Tyrrell Hatton and Francesco Laporta trail closely at 17 under, while Rory McIlroy sits two shots back at 16 under.
- Australia’s Adam Scott sits in fifth place at 15 under par and remains entirely bogey-free through 54 holes at Yas Links.
Rahm Takes Outright Advantage at Yas Links
Jon Rahm moved into the sole lead of the Abu Dhabi Championship on Saturday, shooting a six-under-par 66 to reach 18 under par ahead of Sunday’s final round. The 31-year-old Spaniard entered the third round tied at the top with England’s Tyrrell Hatton and Italy’s Francesco Laporta. Rahm, who recently stated that he does not know what 2027 holds following his departure from the LIV tour, is pursuing his first individual tournament victory since his triumph at the 2023 Masters.
Rahm demonstrated composure during a bogey-free performance at Yas Links, particularly when Hatton made a surge on the back nine. Hatton briefly matched Rahm’s score at 17 under after draining his seventh birdie of the day on the 14th hole. Rahm answered on the 15th, sinking a curling 20-foot birdie putt to regain his outright one-shot cushion. A near-miss on another birdie chance on the 18th hole left him ahead by one stroke over his playing partners.
Chasing Pack Keeps the Pressure on the Leader
Hatton and Laporta both recorded five-under-par rounds of 67 to remain in a tie for second place at 17 under par. Laporta, 36, delivered a clean, bogey-free card to maintain pace with the major champions as he targets his maiden victory on the DP World Tour. Hatton is relishing the chance to challenge his European Ryder Cup teammate again in Sunday’s final group alongside Laporta.
Obviously final group tomorrow there’s a lot to play for,
said Hatton. Naturally we are going to want to beat each other. Hopefully I can get off to a good start and put him under some pressure.
McIlroy Stays in Hunt Despite Mixed Third Round
Reigning Masters champion Rory McIlroy sits alone in fourth place at 16 under par, just two shots off the lead, after signing for a third-round 67. McIlroy has mounted an aggressive fightback at Yas Links after absorbing a two-shot penalty in the opening round for improving his lie ahead of a chip shot. Following an 11-birdie round of 63 on Friday, the six-time major winner added eight more birdies on Saturday.
McIlroy’s momentum was disrupted by a double bogey six at the par-four 10th hole, followed by a dropped shot at the 17th. Despite those setbacks, he remains well within striking distance of the leaders entering Sunday’s finale.
There are low ones [scores] out there and I am going to have to shoot a low one – something in the mid to low 60s – to get it done tomorrow and that will be the goal,
said McIlroy.
Leaderboard Highlights Behind the Top Four
Australia’s Adam Scott climbed into fifth place at 15 under par following a six-under-par 66. Scott has not carded a single bogey across the first 54 holes of the championship. England’s Matthew Jordan and Spain’s David Puig share sixth position at 14 under par, with Jordan posting a third-round 69.
Further down the leaderboard, England’s Sam Bairstow and Nathan Kimsey sit at 12 under, while Tommy Fleetwood, Ewen Ferguson, and Andy Sullivan are tied at 11 under. Aaron Rai enters the final round at nine under, with Eugenio Chacarra and Matt Wallace on eight under, and Patrick Reed on one under.
Why This Matters
The Abu Dhabi Championship features a high-stakes showdown among prominent DP World Tour and Ryder Cup stars. For Jon Rahm, holding onto the lead would secure his first solo professional victory since the 2023 Masters and provide momentum as questions linger regarding his future calendar past 2026. For Rory McIlroy, overcoming a first-round rules infraction to win would stand as one of the tour’s most resilient comebacks this season, while Tyrrell Hatton and Francesco Laporta provide formidable resistance at the top of an ultra-tight leaderboard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current score of leader Jon Rahm?
Jon Rahm leads the Abu Dhabi Championship at 18 under par after shooting a six-under-par 66 in the third round.
Who is playing in the final group on Sunday?
Jon Rahm (-18), Tyrrell Hatton (-17), and Francesco Laporta (-17) will play together in Sunday’s final group, having also played together in round three.
How far behind is Rory McIlroy heading into the final round?
Rory McIlroy is two shots off the lead in fourth place at 16 under par following a third-round 67 that featured eight birdies, a double bogey, and a bogey.
