Aaron Rai brings renewed belief to Abu Dhabi’s Yas Links

Aaron Rai is delighted to return to the scene of an “unexpected” victory as he prepares to tee off his Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship title defence at the end of a momentous 2026 season.

Related: Race to Dubai glory withing grasp, Chacarra eyes Abu Dhabi win

The Englishman followed up an impressive second Rolex Series victory at Yas Links 12 months ago with an even bigger prize when he lifted the Wanamaker Trophy for his maiden Major title at the US PGA Championship in May.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by DP World Tour (@dpworldtour)

The 31-year-old admits he is still adjusting following the events of the most notable 12 months of his career, but returns to the first event of the DP World Tour Play-Offs with an enhanced sense of belief as he aims to improve his fifth place position in the Race to Dubai Ranking Delivered by DP World over the final two events of the season.

Fellow 2026 Major winner Rory McIlroy is aiming to turn his remarkable record in Abu Dhabi into a long-awaited victory as he hunts history at the season-ending events.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by DP World Tour (@dpworldtour)

The Northern Irishman arrives in the unfamiliar position of chaser as he seeks a record-equalling eighth Race to Dubai title and fifth in a row.

He currently sits third in the Rankings behind leader Eugenio Chacarra and Patrick Reed but with enhanced points on offer, any of those three or fourth-placed Casey Jarvis could end the week on top.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by DP World Tour (@dpworldtour)

McIlroy has seven wins in the UAE in the neighbouring Emirate of Dubai – where we head next week for the season-ending DP World Tour Championship – and would dearly love to complete his unfinished business with a first victory in Abu Dhabi.

Reed started the season with a Rolex Series victory in Dubai, and is aiming to close the circle with more glory in the region as he aims to become just the second American after Collin Morikawa to lift the Harry Vardon trophy.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by DP World Tour (@dpworldtour)

The 2018 Masters winner is preparing for a big two weeks as the top 70 players in the Rankings are whittled down to 50 over the season-ending events.

He is relishing the opportunity to get the DP World Tour Play-Offs underway in the company of his nearest rivals as he joins Chacarra and McIlroy in the final group, with the European Number One crown firmly in their sights.

Player Quotes

Aaron Rai: Yeah, a lot has happened. It was quite unexpected, this week last year, in obviously the greatest way possible.

This year was a real slow start to the season, quite up-and-down. Some challenges, as well, with some injuries, and then started to play some really good golf at the PGA Championship, which was a real highlight of the year and my career, and the last few months have been pretty steady overall. A lot has happened but very happy to be back here.

It definitely takes some time to adjust for sure (to winning a Major). I think I’m still adjusting to it, even as we’re speaking.

In terms of on the course, I felt like it was really difficult in probably the first two or three events I played straight after the PGA. Just the balance, how big an achievement that is, really appreciate it and really respect how big of an achievement it is. But also, try and approach those events with a real balance and focus. I found that a real difficult balance to weigh between the two.

But after that, I felt pretty comfortable. Felt like I kind of got into a pretty normal rhythm of doing things. I feel extremely proud of how I’ve gone about my preparation and practise over the last, probably, six to eight events.

I don’t feel like it’s changed my style as a golfer that much. I still try to play events in a similar way and approach events in a pretty similar way.

It’s definitely helped give an extra layer of belief, and I think the nature in which I had won both of those tournaments were very different to what I had experienced before in a slightly different way of winning compared to events that I had won before. So I think that definitely gives just an extra layer of confidence and belief.

I think I’m still adapting to just some changes. It’s definitely a new space for me. I’ve been a professional, I think, for 14 years, but the last 12 months have definitely been the best performances and the most notable wins of my career.