Race to Dubai leader Eugenio Chacarra will play alongside Rory McIlroy for the first time when the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship begins at Yas Links on Thursday.
The Spaniard tees off from the first at 11.50am with McIlroy and Patrick Reed, his two closest rivals in the Race to Dubai Rankings. For the first time, groups at the opening DP World Tour Play-Offs event will go out in reverse Rankings order.
“I dream of playing with the best players in the world and I get a chance to play with Rory for the first time,” said Chacarra. “I’ve been watching him play since I was little. He’s one of my idols. So super excited for the opportunity.”
Chacarra leads the Race to Dubai
Chacarra moved to the top of the Rankings last month after a two-shot win at the DP World India Championship, his third title of the 2026 season.
That victory took him past Reed, who had led for much of the year after winning the Hero Dubai Desert Classic and in Qatar. Meanwhile, back-to-back Masters champion McIlroy sits third as he bids for an eighth Harry Vardon Trophy.
Despite the star-studded pairing, the 26-year-old is keeping the bigger picture in mind.
“Golf is four rounds,” he said. “It’s a marathon, not a sprint. Obviously there’s a lot of points this week, a lot of points next week. Just be patient, play my game, and I know if I do that, I’ll have a good chance on Sunday in Dubai.”
Casey Jarvis, a two-time winner in 2026, is the only other player who could leave Abu Dhabi top of the Rankings. He tees off at 11.39am with defending champion Aaron Rai and New Zealand’s Daniel Hillier.
Birdies expected at Yas Links
After walking the front nine in practice, Chacarra expects low scoring this week.
“It’s probably the best conditions we’ve played all year,” he said. “It’s a fantastic course and the greens are fast. There’s probably going to be a lot of birdies.”
The tournament runs from 5–8 November. The top 70 available players on the Rankings are competing for the 50 places in the following week’s DP World Tour Championship.
Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship tickets and entertainment
Fans can also enjoy plenty away from the golf. Each day, live music follows play on the main stage, while the Future Falcons Kids’ Zone and free golf lessons cater for younger visitors.
General admission is free on Thursday and Friday. Saturday and Sunday tickets cost AED 90 in advance, compared with AED 100 at the gate, and children aged 17 and under go free all week.
Alternatively, viewers in the Middle East can stream the action online via Recast.
