Post-LIV Rahm wins in Abu Dhabi, besting McIlroy and Hatton - ESPN

ABU DHABI, United Arab Emirates — Jon Rahm fought off Ryder Cup teammates Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton to win the Abu Dhabi Championship on Sunday for his first European tour title in four years, marking a successful start to the Spaniard's career rebuild following the demise of LIV Golf.

Rahm shot 5-under 67 and was 23-under par for the week at Yas Links, two strokes clear of Hatton (68) and four ahead of McIlroy (69) in the first of the two season-ending playoff tournaments in the United Arab Emirates.

This was Rahm's first event in seven weeks, during which time his wife gave birth to their second daughter — their fourth child — and he set about finalizing a departure from LIV that will see him giving up millions of dollars owed to him.

With LIV this week announcing plans to wind down operations anyway, Rahm is heading back to the established tours for next season — and has a big win to bring with him.

«After everything that's gone on,» Rahm said, «and some poor play and some battles mentally with a lot of noise, to come back out after a bit of rest and being with the family, it's quite special.»

His last victory on the European tour's regular circuit was the World Tour Championship in November 2022, which was followed by a green jacket at the Masters a few months later and then the world No. 1 ranking before a controversial move to LIV.

His peerless iron play this week suggests a return to his 2021-23 level, when he collected his two major titles. It was certainly too good for McIlroy and their rivals in an exciting final round at Yas Links.

At one stage early in the back nine, Rahm, McIlroy, Hatton and Francesco Laporta were tied for the lead at 20 under, only for Rahm to pull away with three birdies in a