Rahm holds one-shot lead after third round at Abu Dhabi Championship

Jon Rahm held a one-shot lead after carding a six-under-par 66 in the third round of the Abu Dhabi Championship at Yas Links on Saturday, moving ahead of Tyrrell Hatton and Rory McIlroy going into the final round.

Rahm stood on 18 under following his round while Hatton and Francesco Laporta were on 17 under and McIlroy was fourth on 16 under; Rahm had shared the overnight lead with Laporta and Hatton before moving clear on Saturday. Rahm, who said recently that he does not know what 2027 holds after quitting the LIV tour, is aiming for a first solo tournament triumph since winning the Masters in 2023.

McIlroy remains in contention despite a two-shot penalty in the opening round for improving his lie before taking a chip shot; he hit 11 birdies in a second-round 63 and another eight in his third round. A double bogey six at the par-four 10th and a further dropped shot at the 17th left the six-time major winner two shots off the lead. "There are low ones [scores] out there and I am going to have to shoot a low one - something in the mid to low 60s - to get it done tomorrow and that will be the goal," said McIlroy.

Hatton and Laporta both carded 67s in the third round and played alongside Rahm in Saturday's final group; all three will play together once again on Sunday. Hatton briefly moved level with Rahm in the third round after holing his seventh birdie of the day on the 14th. "Obviously final group tomorrow there's a lot to play for," said Hatton. "Naturally we are going to want to beat each other. Hopefully I can get off to a good start and put him under some pressure."

Rahm reclaimed the outright lead with a curling 20-foot birdie putt on the 15th, came close to extending his advantage at the 18th and finished his round without a single dropped shot. Laporta also recorded a bogey-free round to keep pace after opening the week with a 10-under first round as he bids for a first title on the DP World Tour.

Australian Adam Scott remained bogey-free for the tournament after three rounds and moved to fifth on 15 under after a third-round 66. England's Matthew Jordan and Spain's David Puig were a shot further back following third-round 69s; the published third-round leaderboard listed other positions and scores, including -12 S Bairstow, N Kimsey; -11 T Fleetwood, E Ferguson, A Sullivan; -9 A Rai; -8 E Chacarra, M Wallace; and -1 P Reed.

Rahm will begin the final round at Yas Links with a one-shot advantage on Sunday, set to play alongside Hatton and Laporta in the final group while McIlroy starts two shots behind and seeks a low score to challenge for the title.