Jon Rahm wins Abu Dhabi Championship, his first title since announcing his LIV Golf exit

Jon Rahm won the Abu Dhabi Championship on Sunday at 23 under par. It was his first victory since he announced his departure from LIV Golf.

Rahm closed with a 5-under-par 67 and made par on the 18th hole to secure the win. Tyrrell Hatton finished second, two shots back, after a 68. Rory McIlroy was third, four shots behind, after a 69. The three are Ryder Cup teammates.

The win was Rahm's first DP World Tour title in four years. The two-time major winner was playing his first tournament since the birth of his fourth child.

Italy's Francesco Laporta, who has never won a DP World Tour title, was in contention for the lead on the back nine before falling out of contention. McIlroy bogeyed the 15th hole on Sunday. He had received a two-shot penalty in his first round.

Race to Dubai

McIlroy's third place moved him past Patrick Reed into second in the Race to Dubai, behind Spain's Eugenio Chacarra, who finished tied for 22nd. One event remains: the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai next week. McIlroy is seeking an eighth Race to Dubai title, which would equal Colin Montgomerie's record. Rahm can still win the season-long standings, but only if he wins in Dubai. According to ESPN, McIlroy is about 500 points behind Chacarra, and next week's winner receives 2,000 points.

How the final round unfolded

According to the BBC, Rahm took a one-shot lead into Sunday and made six birdies and one bogey. ESPN reported that Rahm, McIlroy, Hatton and Laporta were tied at 20 under early on the back nine, before Rahm made three birdies in five holes from the 11th. Laporta finished fourth at 17 under, according to the BBC.

ESPN reported that Rahm was finalizing a departure from LIV that will see him giving up millions of dollars owed to him. A related BBC headline cites £75m. ESPN also reported that LIV Golf announced plans this week to wind down operations. The reports give few specifics of the wind-down.

What is disputed

The BBC and ESPN give different wording for Rahm's post-round remarks. In the BBC version, citing Sky Sports, he spoke of "a bit of a break and a new addition to the family" and "a pretty flawless back nine". ESPN quoted him as referring to "a bit of rest and being with the family" and "a pretty flawless round". The reports do not explain the difference.

What each side says

Rahm told Sky Sports, according to the BBC: "It means a lot. It's been quite a while to play well in the DP World Tour." The BBC said he joked about going "last to first" after finishing last at Wentworth in his previous appearance. ESPN quoted him as saying his Race to Dubai chance "actually gives me a little extra incentive next week".

ESPN quoted McIlroy as saying: "I would have loved to have won the tournament, but enough positive signs to feel good going into next week."

Analysis

Rahm's win gives the season finale in Dubai an added storyline. Chacarra leads the Race to Dubai, McIlroy is second, and Rahm keeps a narrower path that requires victory next week. The outcome could depend on how the leaders perform on a single course in one week. Beyond the standings, the result comes as ESPN reports LIV Golf plans to wind down, though the reports reviewed by Vocemundi give few specifics of how that wind-down will proceed. How players who left LIV are integrated into other tours may draw further attention, but its direction remains unclear.

Produced by the Vocemundi newsroom with AI assistance.