GOLF – 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 today 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 year 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 over the final two events of this campaign.
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.
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.
“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,” said Rai during his pre-event Press conference yesterday. “The last few months have been pretty steady overall. A lot has happened but very happy to be back here.”
McIlroy commented: “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.”
Reed said: “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 good. Body feels a hundred per cent. 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.”
“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.”
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