Rahm Hails 'Fantastic' Yas Links on Abu Dhabi Debut as Bubble Battle Looms

Jon Rahm has given Yas Links a glowing first review ahead of his Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship debut, describing the course as "fantastic" as he prepares for the opening event of the DP World Tour Play-Offs. It is Rahm's first trip to Abu Dhabi, and it comes just weeks after he and his wife Kelley welcomed their fourth child, Begona. The Spaniard starts the week as the man on the bubble, sitting 51st in the Race to Dubai rankings, with only the top 50 going through to next week's season finale at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai. The Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship runs from November 5 to 8 at Yas Links, with the top 70 available players competing for a $9 million purse and a place in the finale. Rahm will be joined in the field by Rory McIlroy, who is chasing a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title, and by current rankings leader Eugenio Chacarra. The event is the first of two playoff tournaments that will decide the season-long race, and for Rahm the maths is simple: a strong week in Abu Dhabi is the only way to keep his season alive into Dubai.