Jon Rahm will carry a one-stroke advantage into the final round of the Abu Dhabi Championship after a bogey-free 66 at Yas Links on Saturday. The Spaniard, who has not won a solo tournament since the 2023 Masters, moved to 18 under par, one clear of Tyrrell Hatton and Francesco Laporta.
The trio shared the overnight lead after 54 holes, but Rahm edged ahead with a composed back nine. Hatton and Laporta each signed for 67, while Rory McIlroy sits two shots further back in fourth at 16 under after a 67 of his own.
Rahm Holds His Nerve as Hatton Pushes
Hatton briefly caught Rahm at the top of the leaderboard when he holed his seventh birdie of the day at the 14th. Rahm responded immediately, curling in a 20-foot birdie putt at the 15th to reclaim the outright lead. He narrowly missed another birdie at the last but completed his round without a single dropped shot.
The two former LIV players will once again be in the final group on Sunday, alongside Laporta. Hatton said he expects a competitive dynamic between the Ryder Cup teammates. He added that a fast start could put pressure on the leader.
McIlroy Rues Costly Double Bogey
McIlroy produced another aggressive display, carding eight birdies in his third round, but a double-bogey six at the par-four 10th and a dropped shot at the 17th checked his momentum. The reigning Masters champion had earlier bounced back from a two-shot penalty in the opening round – imposed for improving his lie before a chip shot – with an 11-birdie 63 on Friday.
McIlroy acknowledged that he will need a low score on Sunday to catch the leaders. He said the course is yielding low numbers and that a round in the mid-to-low 60s is the target.
Laporta Keeps Pace in Bid for First DP World Tour Title
Laporta, who opened the tournament with a 10-under-par round to lead, remains in the hunt for his first DP World Tour victory. The 36-year-old Italian matched Rahm’s bogey-free effort on Saturday and will play in the final group for the second consecutive day.
Adam Scott sits alone in fifth at 15 under after a 66, extending his bogey-free run through three rounds. Matthew Jordan and David Puig share sixth at 14 under, one shot ahead of a group that includes Sam Bairstow and Nathan Kimsey.
Tommy Fleetwood, Ewen Ferguson and Andy Sullivan are tied at 11 under, while Patrick Reed is well off the pace at one under. The final round is set to begin with Rahm, Hatton and Laporta teeing off last.
