Francesco Laporta Fires 10-Under 62 to Lead Abu Dhabi Championship

Francesco Laporta took a three-stroke lead at the Abu Dhabi Championship after shooting a 10-under 62 at Yas Links.

Francesco Laporta holds a three-shot lead at the Abu Dhabi Championship after carding a 10-under 62 during Thursday's opening round at Yas Links. The 224th-ranked Italian missed a six-foot birdie attempt on the 18th hole that would have tied the course record. Jon Rahm, Bernd Wiesberger, and Sam Bairstow sit in a tie for second place at 7-under par. Rahm, returning from a seven-week competitive hiatus, turned in a bogey-free 65 highlighted by seven birdies.

In the battle for the Race to Dubai title, Rory McIlroy leads the three primary contenders after posting a 4-under 68. McIlroy recovered from a double-bogey 6 at the 12th hole by recording three consecutive birdies starting at the 14th. He currently trails standings leader Eugenio Chacarra by approximately 1,000 points. Chacarra finished his first round with a 70, while Patrick Reed sits in a tie for 56th place following a 2-over 74 that included a double-bogey 7 on the final hole.

Matthew Jordan and Adrian Meronk are four strokes off the lead after shooting rounds of 66. The tournament offers 1,500 points to the winner, which is the penultimate event of the 2026 European tour season before the finale in Dubai. McIlroy is currently pursuing his eighth overall season title to match the record held by Colin Montgomerie.