Jon Rahm’s victory at the 2026 Aldar Abu Dhabi Championship is a significant milestone in his career, not just for adding another trophy but for overcoming a difficult spell. The Spaniard beat his former LIV Golf team-mate Tyrrell Hatton by two shots at Yas Links, regaining his confidence after a troubled few weeks that affected his performance both on and off the course.
Rahm finished the tournament with an impressive closing round of 67, totalling 23 under par. It was his first regular win on the DP World Tour since claiming the DP World Tour Championship in 2022. However, at the post-round press conference, the player stressed that this result was about more than a simple triumph; it was a win over the mental challenges he has faced, on top of the pressure of leaving LIV Golf and the expected arrival of his fourth child.
“Oh, no, no, no. I don’t think any of us are that type of person. We have a great friendship. We spent a lot of time together during the week and had dinner many times with our teams,” said Rahm about the friendly rivalry with Hatton. He underlined the camaraderie between the two, revealing that during the decisive moments of the contest, each knew exactly what the other was thinking, which made the competition even more interesting.
The win was especially satisfying for Rahm, given that he had finished last at the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth the previous month. After a seven-week break from competitive golf, his return in Abu Dhabi was marked by four consecutive rounds of 67 or better. Rahm and Hatton know each other well, having been LIV Golf colleagues, and their friendship did not stop both from playing excellent golf, with Hatton securing second place with a final round of 68, finishing 21 under par.
Rahm’s performance in the final round was remarkable, especially considering the quality of the players chasing him. He began Sunday with a one-shot lead over Hatton and Francesco Laporta, while Rory McIlroy was two shots behind. Rahm suffered a minor setback early on but responded quickly with consecutive birdies, retaking the lead in a fiercely contested tournament.
The decisive moments of the tournament came at the 12th and 13th holes. Rahm made a birdie at the 12th, while Laporta suffered a significant collapse with a triple bogey at the 13th, which cost him his chance of winning. Rahm kept hold of his lead and, even after an excellent approach at the 15th, where he made a birdie, the pressure from Hatton remained until the end.
Asked whether this win symbolised the start of a new chapter in his career after LIV Golf, Rahm did not hesitate to consider that possibility. “In a way, yes. I don’t know how else to say it. It’s turning the page,” he said, acknowledging that he had been given many opportunities throughout his career and that he hopes to keep making the most of every one of them.
This triumph not only marked a return to winning ways but also cemented his place in the history of European golf, as he became the first player to win six Rolex Series titles, overtaking Hatton, who also had five wins in the series. Almost four years after his last battle for the title against Hatton, Rahm reasserted his superiority, making it clear that he is ready to face the challenges ahead without the weight of old pressures.
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