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Tournament Preview
Aaron Rai is delighted to return to the scene of an “unexpected” victory as he prepares to tee off his Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship title defence at the end of a momentous 2026 season.
The Englishman followed up an impressive second Rolex Series victory at Yas Links 12 months ago with an even bigger prize when he lifted the Wanamaker Trophy for his maiden Major title at the US PGA Championship in May.
The 31-year-old admits he is still adjusting following the events of the most notable 12 months of his career, but returns to the first event of the DP World Tour Play-Offs with an enhanced sense of belief as he aims to improve his fifth place position in the Race to Dubai Ranking Delivered by DP World over the final two events of the season.
Fellow 2026 Major winner Rory McIlroy is aiming to turn his remarkable record in Abu Dhabi into a long-awaited victory as he hunts history at the season-ending events.
The Northern Irishman arrives in the unfamiliar position of chaser as he seeks a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title and fifth in a row.
He currently sits third in the Rankings behind leader Eugenio Chacarra and Patrick Reed but with enhanced points on offer, any of those three or fourth-placed Casey Jarvis could end the week on top.
McIlroy has seven wins in the UAE in the neighbouring Emirate of Dubai – where we head next week for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship – and would dearly love to complete his unfinished business with a first victory in Abu Dhabi.
Reed started the season with a Rolex Series victory in Dubai, and is aiming to close the circle with more glory in the region as he aims to become just the second American after Collin Morikawa to lift the Harry Vardon trophy.
The 2018 Masters winner is preparing for a big two weeks as the top 70 players in the Rankings are whittled down to 50 over the season-ending events.
He is relishing the opportunity to get the DP World Tour Play-Offs underway in the company of his nearest rivals as he joins Chacarra and McIlroy in the final group, with the European Number One crown firmly in their sights.
Player Quotes
Aaron Rai: Yeah, a lot has happened. It was quite unexpected, this week last year, in obviously the greatest way possible.
This year was a real slow start to the season, quite up-and-down. Some challenges, as well, with some injuries, and then started to play some really good golf at the PGA Championship, which was a real highlight of the year and my career, and the last few months have been pretty steady overall. A lot has happened but very happy to be back here.
It definitely takes some time to adjust for sure (to winning a Major). I think I’m still adjusting to it, even as we’re speaking.
In terms of on the course, I felt like it was really difficult in probably the first two or three events I played straight after the PGA. Just the balance, how big an achievement that is, really appreciate it and really respect how big of an achievement it is. But also, try and approach those events with a real balance and focus. I found that a real difficult balance to weigh between the two.
But after that, I felt pretty comfortable. Felt like I kind of got into a pretty normal rhythm of doing things. I feel extremely proud of how I’ve gone about my preparation and practise over the last, probably, six to eight events.
I don’t feel like it’s changed my style as a golfer that much. I still try to play events in a similar way and approach events in a pretty similar way.
It’s definitely helped give an extra layer of belief, and I think the nature in which I had won both of those tournaments were very different to what I had experienced before in a slightly different way of winning compared to events that I had won before. So I think that definitely gives just an extra layer of confidence and belief.
I think I’m still adapting to just some changes. It’s definitely a new space for me. I’ve been a professional, I think, for 14 years, but the last 12 months have definitely been the best performances and the most notable wins of my career.
Rory McIlroy: I have a good record without getting the win. I think I’ve been in the top three here, 10 of the 14 times that I’ve played. This is my 15th time.
But yeah, I it’s amazing being in contention that often but not getting over the line. I thought maybe last year was the year, and made a good push on Sunday and I came up one short with the playoff between Aaron and Tommy but I think I really liked Abu Dhabi Golf Club when we played there.
I probably didn’t love this course as much when we first started to come but it’s definitely growing on me as the years went on. It’s in amazing condition but it could be the best condition course we play all year. Like either side of the Atlantic, it’s incredible.
So yeah, I’m excited to be here, excited to get going and excited to at least be in the conversation of trying to win another Race to Dubai. I know I’m going to have to have a good week this week to do that. Hopefully I can and make things interesting going into next week. It will be interesting the next few days with Patrick and Eugenio out there. Patrick has maybe a bit more experience but especially Eugenio, his first time or experience in a position like this. It will be great to play with him next two days and see how he handles that.
But yeah, I’m excited. I’m excited to be in the conversation. I wish I had played a bit better in India to get myself a little bit closer to those two guys.
But there’s so many points on offer here and next week in Dubai. I know either two good finishes or a win and a good finish, I’ll be right there.
Patrick Reed: Always excited to come back to the desert. It’s always fun coming over here. This golf course, didn’t fair very well the first time I played but last year, started to figure out some things around this place. One of those places you just need to play a couple times.
Game is in good shape. Kind of feels like home right now (with the weather). Golf is ood. Body feels a hundred percent.
Obviously we were leading for most of the year but the way Eugenio has been playing, amazing golf, not just of late but throughout the whole year.
Just one of those things that it really comes down to these last two weeks. We knew coming in, it was always going to come down to the last two events because of how big the points are. At the end of the day, get a chance to play Sunday and next week to have a chance to play to win the whole thing.
Yeah, it’s very exciting, especially playing with those two. It’s been a while since I’ve been in the same group as Rory. So it’s going to be fun. I’ve gotten the pleasure of playing with Eugenio earlier this year. It’s going to be a fun group to go out tomorrow and feed off each other and play some good golf.
2026 Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship
Venue: Yas Links Golf Club, Abu Dhabi, UAE
2025 Champion: Aaron Rai (ENG)
Prize Fund: $9,000,000
Race to Dubai: Tournament 41 of 42
Rolex Series: Tournament 4 of 5
DP World Tour Play-Offs: Tournament 1 of 2
Race to Dubai Points: 9,000