Rory McIlroy will tee it up at the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship at Yas Links from November 5 to 8, the DP World Tour has announced. The news came with confirmation that Aldar, the Abu Dhabi property developer that owns the course, has taken on title partner status for the first of the season’s two Play-Off events, meaning the tournament formerly known as the Abu Dhabi Championship has been renamed.
Rory McIlroy arrives as a six-time major winner, the reigning Masters champion and the defending Race to Dubai title holder. One thing still missing from his résumé is a victory in Abu Dhabi, where he has finished second four times.
“I’d obviously love to go one better and finally win it,” he said. “I really enjoy finishing my season in the UAE, and hopefully I can have a strong week and put myself in a position to win another Race to Dubai title.”
Rory McIlroy chases a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title
The larger prize is the season-long crown. Another Race to Dubai victory would be Rory McIlroy’s eighth, drawing him level with Colin Montgomerie’s record. DP World Tour CEO Guy Kinnings said the pursuit “will add further drama to this year’s Play-Offs.”
Rory McIlroy also praised the venue, which has hosted the event since 2022. “Yas Links is always in immaculate condition, and the atmosphere throughout the week makes it a special event,” he said.
How the Play-Offs work
The top 70 available players on the Race to Dubai Rankings qualify for the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, a Rolex Series event. After Yas Links, the leading 50 advance to the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates in Dubai, running November 12 to 15, where the final standings are decided.
Aaron Rai of England defends the title after winning at Yas Links last November. He has since added a first major, taking this year’s US PGA Championship.
Why Aldar is stepping up
Aldar has been an Official Marketing Partner and Official Real Estate Partner of the DP World Tour since 2025. As the developer behind Yas Island and Saadiyat Island, and the owner of Yas Links, the title sponsorship is a logical next step. The event is run by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council and the DP World Tour.
Aldar Chairman Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak said the company has been central to making Yas Island one of the region’s most sought-after places to live, visit and invest, and that the title partnership builds on that foundation. Aref Hamad Al Awani, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Sports Council, said he hoped the event would inspire more young people to take up the sport.
Tickets
General admission is free on Thursday and Friday, with weekend tickets starting at Dhs75. The Bar on Nine Ticket+ returns after strong sales last year, with a limited number of promotional tickets from Dhs170, including a Dhs100 food and drink voucher. The Championship Chalet beside the 18th green offers air-conditioned hospitality from Dhs1,680.
Key details
- Dates: Thursday, November 5 to Sunday, November 8
- Venue: Yas Links, Yas Island, Abu Dhabi
- Field: Top 70 available players on the Race to Dubai Rankings
- Status: Rolex Series; first of two DP World Tour Play-Off events
- Defending champion: Aaron Rai
- Tickets: Free Thursday and Friday; from Dhs75 Saturday and Sunday
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