Rory McIlroy finishes the opening round with a 70 after a two‑stroke penalty for improving his lie on the 12th hole turns his double bogey into an eight‑stroke bogey, leaving him tied 33rd and eight shots off the lead. Francesco Laporta leads the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship with a bogey‑free 62, three shots ahead of the field. Other contenders such as Jon Rahm, Sam Bairstow and Bernd Wiesberger sit at seven under, three strokes back. The penalty was imposed after video review by officials at Yas Links in Abu Dhabi.
Jon Rahm
3 stories since 31 October 2026, newest first
6 November 2026
5 November 2026
BC Partners announced it is abandoning its plan to finance a relaunched LIV Golf, citing insufficient player commitments. The league, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in New Jersey in September after Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund ended its $5 billion support, is now reportedly seeking liquidation of its remaining assets. A bankruptcy court hearing in Trenton, New Jersey, is set for Thursday to address contracts, leases and assets. Former world number one Jon Rahm and other high‑profile golfers have already left the league.
31 October 2026
Sergio Garcia confirms he will leave LIV Golf and rejoin the DP World Tour for the 2027 season, while keeping the possibility of a future PGA Tour comeback. He also says he hopes to earn a spot on Luke Donald's European Ryder Cup team for the 2027 event at Adare Manor. Garcia, 46, previously spent four years on the LIV circuit after joining in 2022 and has won 27 titles across the European and PGA Tours, including the 2017 Masters.