Jon Rahm has given Yas Links a glowing first review ahead of his Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship debut. The Spaniard needs a solid week to secure his place in the DP World Tour Championship.
This is Rahm’s first trip to Abu Dhabi, and it comes just weeks after he and his wife, Kelley, welcomed their fourth child, Begoña. He arrived on Monday after a long day of travel and quickly set out to play the front nine.
“It’s in about as good shape as you can expect a golf course to be,” said the two-time Major Champion.
“That was absolutely fantastic. Not a blade of grass out of place. Firm, but reactive in a consistent way. It was truly enjoyable.”
Rahm on the bubble in the Race to Dubai
Rahm starts the opening event of the DP World Tour Play-Offs in 51st place in the Race to Dubai Rankings. Only the top 50 will advance to the season finale at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
However, he isn’t losing sleep over his position.
“The good thing about this week is that we are all guaranteed points, right,” he said. “So I know I need to play well but I don’t think I need a stellar effort to make it to next week.”
Why Jon Rahm could thrive at Yas Links
The wind was already up on Yas Island on Monday, and those conditions could suit Rahm. Both of his Irish Open titles came on exposed coastal links, at Portstewart in 2017 and Lahinch in 2019.
He also has a strong record in the UAE, having won the DP World Tour Championship in 2017, 2019 and 2022.
Even so, the World No. 15 believes players must adapt to the course, rather than the other way round.
“I think the players that can do that the best are the ones that can win consistently,” he said. “If you only play where you think you can play good, it’s going to be a very short career, at least as far as I’m concerned.”
Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship: what fans need to know
The Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship runs from 5–8 November. The top 70 available players in the Race to Dubai Rankings will compete for 50 places in the following week’s DP World Tour Championship.
General admission is free on Thursday and Friday. Weekend tickets cost AED 90 in advance or AED 100 at the gate, and children aged 17 and under go free throughout the week.
There are also two upgraded ticket options:
- Bar on Nine: From AED 180, including an AED 100 food and drink voucher.
- Championship Chalet: From AED 1,600, with five-star hospitality and panoramic views of the 18th green.
Every ticket includes access to the Future Falcons Kids’ Zone. Young golfers can also enjoy free lessons, while the Championship Village will offer a long putt challenge, big screens and trick-shot shows.
Live music follows play each day:
- Thursday: Greg Pearson
- Friday: Speed Wagon
- Saturday: Wet Grass
- Sunday: Ollie Chapman
Viewers in the Middle East can also buy individual rounds or a four-day Championship Pass through Recast.
