Three back-nine birdies were more than enough to power Jon Rahm to the winner’s circle and past former LIV Golf playing mate Tyrrell Hatton at the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship.
Rahm won the DP World Tour’s first of two playoff events at 23 under, besting Hatton by two shots and Rory McIlory by four.
“It’s been quite a while since I played good in a DP World Tour event,” Rahm said on the 18th green, adding that he was still in a bit of disbelief.
He left LIV formerly last month and missed the cut at his last DPWT start, the BMW PGA Championship in September, in what ended up being the worst finish of his professional career.
“From last to first, it’s a pretty good feeling,” Rahm said.
When he made the turn Sunday, Rahm was tied with three others.
“Beside the second shot on 17, I played a pretty flawless back nine,” he said, crediting his 6-iron shot approach shot on the 15th hole as a turning moment of the final round.”
“That second shot on 15 will be a contender for shot of the year for me,” he added.
McIlroy, who was docked two strokes during Thursday’s opening round for improving his lie, finished at 19 under.
McIlroy’s started his back nine birdie-birdie but any chances of a comeback — and first career win at Yas Links, where he has collected plenty of finishes inside the top five — were thwarted by a run of three consecutive pars and a bogey at the par-4 15th. McIlroy went for three more pars to card a 3-under 69 in his final round.
The win marks Rahm’s 11th title on the DP World Tour. He was playing in his first competitive event in seven weeks after the birth of his fourth child.
He was asked if Sunday felt like a new beginning.
“One could say that after everything that’s gone on, with some poor play,” he said moments after the win. “Battles mentally, lot of noise. To come back out — after a little bit of rest and a new addition to the family, it’s quite special.”
Rahm could win his second Race to Dubai crown if he wins next week’s DP World Tour Championship and current RTD leader Eugenio Chacarra finishes outside the top eight. Rahm sits No. 6 after jumping 45 spots with Sunday’s victory in Abu Dhabi.
“I didn’t think I’d ever have a chance to win it,” Rahm said with a laugh.
“It gives me a little incentive next week,” he added. “That’s better odds than I expected.”
