Jon Rahm surges into Abu Dhabi Championship sole lead

Spain’s Jon Rahm on his way into the 54-hole lead in the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship on Saturday. Image courtesy DPWT.

Jon Rahm surges into Abu Dhabi Championship sole lead

By Rahul Banerji

Ryder Cup star and former LIV Golf team captain Jon Rahm shot an impressive back nine to surge into a one-shot lead at the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship on Saturday.

A two-time major winner, Rahm was in the final group alongside fellow-leaders Tyrrell Hatton and Francesco Laporta and after a slow start to his third round, the Spaniard came to life after the turn.

Rahm went birdie-eagle-birdie from hole 19 and picked up another shot at 15 to climb to the top at 18 under par 198 with a brilliant 6 under 66 on Moving Day, the DP World Tour said.

Rahm has five Rolex Series wins to his name and will hope to add the trophy at Yas Links to move one ahead of good friend and rival Hatton.

“It was a good day overall,” Rahm said. Just holes 4, 5, and 6 got away from me for a second. A couple bad swings, one bogey I and was able to minimise the other two. 

“From then on, I played some decent golf, I would say all day, except those three holes. I was in a good position on every single hole with a chance for birdie.

Fluctuating fortunes

“I think you need to be aware that both things (good round, bad round) can happen, right. I think I remember Tyrrell, the first day was even par through nine and shot five under. 

“Even Rory (McIlroy) yesterday was maybe one to two under going up to eight or nine, got out with four or five, six birdies in a row. It can happen.

“It can also happen that you have a few bad holes, but was able to minimise that and make a birdie on seven and got things going again.

“It would be amazing (to win). It’s been a good year so far. But to win again on the DP World Tour would be special. To add to the Rolex Series tally and make it six would be fantastic, as well.”

Laporta and Hatton will once again play with Rahm in the final group on Sunday with both reaching the summit at points throughout the day. 

Said Englishman Hatton of his effort on Saturday, “Felt like a scruffy day to be honest. I didn’t feel overly comfortable at times so that was a little bit disappointing. 

More chances

“That being said, I feel like it’s probably the best I could have shot today, so I take that as a positive. Hopefully I feel better tomorrow and give myself more opportunities for birdies.

“It’s always good fun to play with Jon. Francesco played well today. Had some lovely up-and-downs on the back nine. Should be a fun day (tomorrow). I imagine the scoring will be low again. 

“So we’re all going to need play well. The guys who are just behind on the leaderboard, they are going to be making plenty of birdies, as well. I’m sure it will be an exciting final day for everyone watching at home.

“My main objective this week was to try to get into next week. I haven’t been in that position very often coming into Abu Dhabi where I need to play well to get into Dubai. 

“So yeah, there’s a lot to play for, Ryder Cup points, World Ranking points, Race to Dubai points.”

They sit one shot back at 17 under 199, with Laporta going bogey-free and Hatton mixing six birdies and one dropped shot in their rounds of 67. 

Rory McIlroy’s adventurous 67 included eight birdies, a double bogey and a bogey, as he got to 16 under 200. 

Birdie bunches

The Northern Irish superstar made birdies in bunches on the day, three in a row on the front nine and then four straight after the double bogey on hole 10.

“Encouraged, as I played some really good golf out there but also a little rueful,” the world no. 2 said later. 

“I felt like I had some really good momentum coming off the back of the front nine, then was in a good position on ten. 

“Just the bunker shot came out a lot faster than I anticipated, and then over the green and it was sort of dead from there. I followed another poor shot with another mistake at the third and ended up making a mess and made double.

“But fought back and made birdies on the next four holes. So it was a good bounce back, and let it go at the end with the bogey on 17 and not taking advantage at the last.

“But overall, good day. Kept myself within touching distance and I have a good shot at it tomorrow, which is all I want.”

Australian veteran Adam Scott, who is yet to drop a shot at Yas Links, is at 15 under 201 after six birdies in his third round.

Spain’s David Puig mixed six birdies and two dropped shots to sit one stroke further back with England’s Mathew Jordan also at 14 under 202.

Also read: Hatton, Rahm share Abu Dhabi Championship lead with Laporta