Jon Rahm has seized the outright lead at the Abu Dhabi Championship, firing a six-under-par 66 to position himself for a final-day showdown at Yas Links. The two-time major champion overcame a sluggish start by igniting his game on the back nine, where he compiled a blistering five-under stretch. This surge included an eagle flanked by birdies on holes 10, 11, and 12, allowing the 31-year-old Spaniard to pull away from the field and establish a one-shot cushion heading into Sunday.
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Rory McIlroy remains firmly in the mix, following a brilliant second day with a five-under third round that keeps him just two shots behind leader Rahm. Despite a costly double-bogey that he openly regretted, the Northern Irishman’s overall performance maintains his threat in the final round. He now sits in a strong position to challenge for the title, having navigated the demanding conditions to stay within striking distance of the leader.
The chase pack is tight, with England’s Tyrell Hatton and Italy’s Francesco Laporta sitting just one shot back of Rahm on 17-under par. Both players carded 67s on day three, creating a three-way battle at the top of the leaderboard. As the final round approaches, the focus shifts to whether Rahm can defend his lead against the combined pressure of McIlroy’s momentum and the consistent scoring of Hatton and Laporta.
Source: The Independent Sport
