Jon Rahm is back and immediately fired a bogey-free 7-under 65 at the start of the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship – but Francesco Laporta left the competition in his wake with an incredible 10-under 62. After a seven-week break, the birth of his fourth child, and a first-time visit to the Yas Links course, Rahm showed no signs of rust. Seven birdies and eleven pars sent a clear message: The Spaniard is red-hot and is here to contend for the win.
Laporta Takes the Lead
While Rahm delivered a phenomenal round and moved into T-2, Italy's Francesco Laporta played in a league of his own. A bogey-free 10-under 62 with an eagle and eight birdies – with that, he claimed the lead and is a comfortable three strokes ahead of Rahm. The course record was within reach!
Rahm is tied for second at 7-under with Austrian Bernd Wiesberger and Englishman Sam Bairstow. Matthew Jordan and Adrian Meronk are also performing very strongly at 6-under. For Rahm, who started 51st in the Race to Dubai standings and could significantly improve his position, this means: He'll need to attack again on Friday to cut the deficit.
Rory's Rules Blunder
Things didn't go quite as smoothly for superstar Rory McIlroy. Although he carded a 4-under 68, he was assessed a post-round two-stroke penalty for a rules violation. This drops him six shots back of Laporta and certainly doesn't make his ambition to win the Race to Dubai title any easier.
