Jon Rahm opened his campaign at the DP World Tour playoffs in Abu Dhabi with a 7-under-par 65, placing him in a tie for second place after the opening round at Yas Links. The Spaniard, playing in his first tournament since the BMW PGA Championship, sits three shots behind leader Francesco Laporta of Italy, who is at 10-under-par.
Rahm’s performance marks a significant return to form following a period of inactivity that included the birth of his fourth child. Despite entering the tournament ranked 51st in the Race to Dubai, the two-time major champion played the course—which he had never played before—without a single bogey, recording seven birdies throughout the day.
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, 3 November 2026 – Jon Rahm gave Yas Links a glowing first review ahead of his Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship debut, as the Spaniard set about securing his place in next week’s DP World Tour Championship. It is Rahm’s first trip to Abu Dhabi… pic.twitter.com/mmY5aUSOUv
A Strategic Start at Yas Links
The course, which hosted the 2024 edition where Englishman Paul Waring set a record, proved manageable for the field, yet Rahm’s precision with his irons was a standout factor. He began his round with a series of birdie opportunities, though he missed two chances from inside two meters on the third and eighth holes. His consistency remained high, with only one notable struggle off the tee on the par-5 11th hole, where he was forced to play a provisional ball before ultimately recovering to save par.
Reflecting on his approach to an unfamiliar layout, Rahm noted that his lower expectations may have served as an advantage. “I think sometimes when your expectations are a little lower than usual, where I just kept thinking, listen, if we have a bad day, we have a bad day but I just kind of took it one shot at a time,” he said. “I think sometimes it can be a blessing just not knowing where some of the danger is.”
On the ninth tee at Yas Links with Jon Rahm 🇪🇸 The 10-time DP World Tour winner makes his Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship debut this week. #AbuDhabiChamps pic.twitter.com/zXaSWC1M8z
“I think sometimes when your expectations are a little lower than usual, where I just kept thinking, listen, if we have a bad day, we have a bad day but I just kind of took it one shot at a time…” I think sometimes it can be a blessing just not knowing where some of the… pic.twitter.com/ptP4FMkDaE— DP World Tour (@DPWorldTour) November 5, 2026
Contenders and Struggles in the Field
While Rahm shares second place with England’s Sam Bairstow, other high-profile players experienced mixed results. Tyrrell Hatton sits at 5-under-par, keeping pace with Rahm as both players look to secure their sixth Rolex Series title. Rory McIlroy finished the day at 4-under-par, though his score was impacted by a two-stroke penalty incurred for improving his lie while in the rough.
Eugenio Chacarra, competing without his driver after it broke during the Wednesday Pro-Am, managed a 2-under-par round. Meanwhile, Patrick Reed, who has struggled with form in recent months, sits further down the leaderboard at 2-over-par.
Rahm Plays Second Round Alongside Laporta and Bairstow
The current leaderboard, if maintained through the final round next week, would see Rahm climb to 17th in the Race to Dubai rankings. For the second round, Rahm is scheduled to play alongside leader Francesco Laporta and Sam Bairstow. The group will tee off at 8:50 a.m. local time in the United Arab Emirates.
Rahm remains cautious about his standing in the tournament, emphasizing that the competition is far from over. Despite his strong start, he acknowledged that there is still work to be done to maintain his position among the leaders as the playoff event progresses toward the weekend.
