Spaniard finishes ahead of Ryder Cup teammates Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton to capture his first ⁠DP World Tour title in four years

Jon Rahm fought off Ryder Cup teammates Rory McIlroy and Tyrrell Hatton to win the Abu Dhabi Championship on Sunday for his first ⁠DP World Tour title in four years, marking a successful start to the Spaniard’s career rebuild following the demise of LIV Golf.

It was the former world No 1’s first tournament since he left the breakaway circuit, and the Spaniard hit a ‌five-under 67 in Sunday’s fourth round to finish 23-under, earning his 11th title on the DP World Tour.

Rahm finished two strokes clear of Hatton (68) and four ahead of McIlroy (69) at Yas Links, in the first of the two season-ending playoff tournaments in the United Arab Emirates.

This was Rahm’s first event in seven weeks, during which time his wife gave birth to their second daughter – their fourth child – and he set about finalising a departure from LIV that will see him giving up millions of dollars owed to him.

With LIV this week announcing plans to wind down operations anyway, Rahm is sure to be heading back to the established tours for next season – and has a big win to bring with him for what he acknowledged was a new stage in his life.

“In my last showing, if you don’t count the withdrawals, I ‌think I finished last,” he said. “So, from last to first is a ⁠pretty good ⁠feeling.