Jon Rahm made his return to the European tour a winning one, closing with a 5-under 67 to capture the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship by two shots over Tyrrell Hatton. Rory McIlroy, the reigning Masters champion, finished four back after a 69.

Rahm finished the week at 23-under par at Yas Links, holding steady on the back nine as Hatton — his former LIV teammate — and McIlroy applied pressure. Hatton's closing 68 left him alone in second.

The victory carries weight beyond the trophy. It was Rahm's first competitive start in seven weeks and his first since LIV Golf officially ended, making Abu Dhabi the opening chapter of a career rebuild for one of the breakaway circuit's highest-profile players. The win also boosts his Race to Dubai position heading into the second of the two season-ending playoff events, with the finale in Dubai up next.

For McIlroy, the week still offered positives: the Masters champion stayed in contention deep into Sunday and remains firmly in the Race to Dubai picture heading to the finale.