In brief
In the opening round of the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, Francesco Laporta recorded a 10‑under 62 to launch a three‑shot lead at Yas Links. Jon Rahm, Sam Bairstow and Bernd Wiesberger trail at seven under, while Rory McIlroy’s Race to Dubai hopes faltered after a two‑shot penalty. A broken Sky Sports link claims the same outcome but has not been independently verified.
Francesco Laporta opened the DP World Tour season‑ending playoffs with a 10‑under 62, taking a three‑shot lead at Yas Links on Sunday, 5 November 2026, according to the Abu Dhabi Sports Council’s official coverage.
Laporta’s round contained eight birdies and an eagle in a bogey‑free performance, matching his lowest score on the DP World Tour. He now sits at ten under par, while former world number one Jon Rahm, England’s Sam Bairstow and Austria’s Bernd Wiesberger are tied at seven under.
In the Race to Dubai standings, third‑placed Rory McIlroy fell to fourteenth after a two‑shot penalty added to a centrist 70, while rankings leader Eugenio Chacarra and second‑placed Patrick Reed shot 70 and 74 respectively. The top 70 players in the standings are eligible to compete, and the leading 50 will advance to the final DP World Tour Championship.
A Sky Sports article, which is currently unavailable, also reported that Laporta had taken the lead after the opening round, but that claim remains unverified at this time.
Spectators on the front of the 18‑hole course reacted to the strong finish, praising Laporta’s composure as he navigated the championship’s demanding layout. The event is organized by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and serves as the kickoff for the DP World Tour’s season‑ending playoffs.
