Jon Rahm wins first tournament after LIV split, eyes PGA Tour return

Jon Rahm announced his return to form in style, winning the first tournament he entered after parting ways with LIV Golf as he continues to pursue a comeback to the PGA Tour.

The Spaniard carded a 5-under-par 67 in the final round Sunday (local time) at the DP World Tour Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship — purse $9 million — at Yas Links (par 72) in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Rahm finished at 23-under 265, beating Tyrrell Hatton of England (21-under) by two strokes. Rory McIlroy of Northern Ireland finished third at 19-under.

It was Rahm's first victory in a regular DP World Tour event in about four years, since the DP World Tour Championship in November 2022. The win brought his official DP World Tour career total to 11 titles, including his 2023 Masters Tournament victory. On the Rolex Series, he now holds the all-time record with six wins, surpassing the five he had shared with Hatton.

Four players were briefly tied for the lead in the back nine of the final round. Rahm pulled ahead with consecutive birdies on the par-5 11th and par-3 12th holes, then added another birdie on the par-4 15th to seal the victory. He parred the remaining three holes.

Rahm ended his contract with LIV Golf last month and announced his intention to return to the PGA Tour. At a pre-tournament news conference, he said he would be willing to accept the same terms offered to Brooks Koepka of the United States if they were extended to him.

Koepka returned to the PGA Tour this year after accepting conditions that included a $5 million charitable donation and forfeiting five years of equity compensation from the tour. "I probably would," Rahm said when asked whether he would accept the same terms. "Why not?" He added, however, that he considered it unlikely he would be offered identical conditions, and that formal return negotiations with the PGA Tour had not yet begun.

The victory vaulted Rahm from 51st to sixth in the Race to Dubai, the DP World Tour's season-long points standings. Competing for the first time in about seven weeks following the birth of his fourth child, Rahm said the win felt special. "Coming back after some rest and welcoming a new member of the family and winning again — it's special," he said.

Meanwhile, McIlroy moved up to second in the Race to Dubai and will chase his eighth season title at the DP World Tour Championship, the season finale, which begins Thursday.