Jon Rahm has seized a one-shot lead heading into the decisive final round of the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship after carding a blistering 6-under 66 on Saturday. The 2023 Masters champion’s consistent scoring places him at 18-under par, a total that puts him one stroke ahead of his playing partners, Tyrrell Hatton and Francesco Laporta, who both finished the round with 67s. Rahm’s performance has effectively broken the earlier three-way tie, positioning him as the favorite to claim the title on Sunday.
Spaniard’s 66 breaks three-way tie, leaving McIlroy two back on the final day at Yas Links.
Rory McIlroy, who shared the lead with Rahm earlier in the day, dropped to fourth place after a costly bogey at the par-3 No. 17. The 94-degree heat at Yas Links seemed to affect the Northern Irishman’s precision, as his 67 included a double-bogey 6 at No. 10. Despite that blemish, McIlroy showed flashes of brilliance, recording a sequence of seven birdies between Nos. 7 and 14 before the late-round stumble cost him the top spot.
The leaderboard features a remarkable trio of Masters winners in the top five, highlighting the elite nature of this field. Adam Scott, continuing his bogey-free tournament, shot a 66 to sit in fifth place at 15-under, just one shot behind McIlroy. With Rahm (2023), McIlroy (2025, 2026), and Scott (2013) all in contention, the final day promises a high-stakes showdown between golf’s current heavyweights.
Source: Yahoo Sports
