Andy DevaneyFor the opening nine holes, Jon Rahm was having one of those rounds where the golf was decent enough, but the scorecard wasn’t particularly interested in cooperating.
Then came the turn. And with it, a rather emphatic reminder of why the Spaniard has two Major titles to his name.
A birdie-eagle-birdie burst from the tenth transformed Rahm’s third round at Yas Links, before another birdie at the 15th helped him sign for a six-under-par 66 and take the outright lead at 18 under.
It leaves him one shot clear of playing partners Tyrrell Hatton and Francesco Laporta, with Rory McIlroy just two behind. Four players separated by two strokes, and precious little room for anyone to have a quiet Sunday.
Rahm Finds Another Gear When It Matters
Having started the third round sharing the lead with Hatton and Laporta, Rahm initially struggled to establish any momentum.
A troublesome stretch between the fourth and sixth included a bogey, although he managed to limit the damage elsewhere before a birdie at the seventh helped settle matters.
The real shift came after the turn.
Rahm picked up a shot at the tenth, followed it with an eagle at the 11th and immediately added another birdie at the 12th. By the time he collected a further birdie at the 15th, the leaderboard had taken on a rather different appearance.
“Well, it was a good day overall. Just Holes 4, 5, and 6 got away from me for a second. A couple bad swings, one bogey I and was able to minimize the other two. From then on, I played some decent golf, I would say all day, except those three holes. I was in a good position on every single hole with a chance for birdie.”
For all the quality of his 66, Rahm felt there were still opportunities left on the course, particularly on the closing two holes.
The bigger prize now awaits.
Already a five-time Rolex Series winner, Rahm has the opportunity to claim a sixth title in the prestigious series, moving him one ahead of Hatton.
“It would be amazing (to win). It’s been a good year so far. But to win again on the DP World Tour would be special. To add to the Rolex Series tally and make it six would be fantastic, as well.”
Hatton and Laporta Refuse to Budge
If Rahm was hoping to put some breathing space between himself and the rest of the field, Hatton and Laporta had other ideas.
Both matched each other with rounds of 67 to reach 17 under, ensuring the same three players will occupy Sunday’s final group.
Hatton’s round featured six birdies and a solitary bogey, although the Englishman was far from delighted with how he played.
“Felt like a scruffy day to be honest. I didn’t feel overly comfortable at times so that was a little bit disappointing. That being said, I feel like it’s probably the best I could have shot today, so I take that as a positive. Hopefully I feel better tomorrow and give myself more opportunities for birdies.”
There is also plenty riding on the result beyond the trophy.
Hatton arrived in Abu Dhabi needing a strong performance to strengthen his chances of reaching next week’s event in Dubai, with Race to Dubai points, Ryder Cup points and World Ranking points all part of the equation.
Laporta, meanwhile, produced a bogey-free 67, keeping himself firmly in contention despite missing several promising birdie opportunities on the back nine.
The Italian acknowledged that the increasingly firm, quick greens and afternoon wind had made scoring more demanding, but was pleased with his improved short game and overall performance.
His approach to the final round is refreshingly uncomplicated: spend time with his family, switch off from golf and worry about winning when Sunday arrives.
McIlroy Remains Dangerous Despite Costly Double Bogey
Two shots behind Rahm sits a player who will need little encouragement to make a final-round charge.
McIlroy’s third-round 67 was considerably more eventful than the number might suggest.
Eight birdies demonstrated just how many scoring opportunities the Northern Irishman created, but a double bogey and a further dropped shot prevented him from getting closer to the lead.
A costly bunker shot at the tenth disrupted his momentum, although he responded with four consecutive birdies to keep himself in the hunt.
A bogey at the 17th and a missed opportunity to improve his score at the last left him at 16 under, but McIlroy knows the tournament remains within reach.
“Kept myself within touching distance and I have a good shot at it tomorrow, which is all I want.”
He also knows that simply playing steadily is unlikely to be enough.
With Yas Links offering plenty of birdie chances, McIlroy believes a round in the mid-to-low 60s could be required to overhaul those ahead of him.
Scott’s Bogey-Free Run Adds Another Threat
The leading quartet will have to keep an eye on Adam Scott, too.
The Australian has yet to drop a shot across three rounds at Yas Links and continued that impressive run with six birdies on Saturday, reaching 15 under.
David Puig and England’s Mathew Jordan are another stroke back at 14 under, ensuring the chasing pack extends well beyond the final pairing.
For Rahm, the task is straightforward enough on paper: protect a one-shot advantage and finish the job.
In practice, with Hatton and Laporta alongside him, McIlroy chasing and Scott still playing blemish-free golf, it promises to be considerably less straightforward.
Rahm may have won Saturday’s argument with a devastating burst after the turn. Sunday’s conversation could last rather longer.
