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Jon Rahm leads Abu Dhabi Championship with Rory McIlroy among challengers going into final round

John Rahm leads on 18 under, one clear of Tyrell Hatton and Francesco Laporta in tie for second; Rory McIlroy, chasing record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title, is 16 under; final round of Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, live on Sky Sports Golf from 6.30am on Sunday

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Highlights of the third round of the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship

Jon Rahm takes a one-shot lead into the final round of the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, with Tyrell Hatton in a tie for second with Francesco Laporta and Rory McIlroy two off the lead.

McIlroy, chasing a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title, and coming off the back of carding a career-high 11 birdies in his second round, had shared the lead at one stage before bogeying the par-three 17th.

McIlroy's five-under 67 also included a double-bogey six at the 10th, which interrupted a streak of seven birdies from the Northern Irishman between holes seven and 14.

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Watch highlights of Rory's McIlroy third round at the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship which included eight birdies but a bogey and double bogey!

Rahm sits on 18 under after a six-under 66 on Saturday at Yas Links GC, one clear of Hatton and Laporta who each carded a 67.

Jon Rahm leads by one in Abu Dhabi on 18 under going into the final day
Image: Jon Rahm leads by one in Abu Dhabi on 18 under going into the final day

Adam Scott continued his bogey-free tournament with a 66 to sit 15 under in fifth place, one shot behind McIlroy.

It leaves three Masters champions in the top five of the leaderboard, with Rahm (2023), McIlroy (2025, 2026) and Scott (2013) all in the mix going into the final day.

The two-week playoffs on the DP World Tour saw 70 players enter the $9m Abu Dhabi Championship before the 50 top-ranked players advance to the $10m finals event in Dubai next week.

McIlroy is currently projected to rise to No 2 in the Road to Dubai rankings, behind Eugenio Chacarra who fired a five-under 67 on Saturday to find himself tied for 29th in Abu Dhabi at eight under.

Watch the final round of the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, live on Sky Sports Golf from 6.30am, Sunday. Get the latest Sky Sports deals or stream with no contract.

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