The DP World Tour heads to the United Arab Emirates this week for the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship at Yas Links, with the tournament running from 5 to 8 November. This is the first of the two season-ending DP World Tour Play-Off events, with the top 70 available players in the Race to Dubai standings competing for a place in next week’s DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, where only the top 50 will progress.
Aaron Rai is the defending champion after winning a playoff at 25-under par last year, while Rory McIlroy heads the betting at 7.00. Tommy Fleetwood, Adam Scott and Jon Rahm are also prominent in a strong field, while Eugenio López-Chacarra arrives as the Race to Dubai leader.
With no halfway cut and plenty at stake in the battle for the Race to Dubai title, we have picked out four each-way selections, including an outsider at 67.00.
The Course
Yas Links is a par 72 measuring approximately 7,468 yards (6,829 metres). Designed by Kyle Phillips and opened in 2010, it is widely regarded as the first true links-style course in the Middle East, occupying a spectacular coastal setting beside the Arabian Gulf.
The course has hosted the Abu Dhabi Championship since 2022, when it replaced Abu Dhabi Golf Club. It features undulating fairways, strategically positioned bunkers, large greens and several holes exposed to the coastal wind.
The winning scores at Yas Links have varied considerably, from 10-under in 2022 to 25-under last year. Much of that difference can be attributed to the weather and the tournament’s move from January to November, when conditions have generally been calmer.
The last two editions have produced winning scores of 24-under and 25-under, so we can expect plenty of birdies again if the weather cooperates.
From a betting perspective, length off the tee is an advantage, particularly with four par fives offering scoring opportunities. However, accurate approach play is equally important, with the last two champions both leading the field in that department.
We are therefore looking for players who can combine strong driving with quality iron play and a reliable putter. With all 70 players scheduled to complete four rounds, the absence of a cut is also worth considering when assessing the each-way market.
Previous Winners
| Year | Winner | Score | Winning margin |
| 2025 | Aaron Rai (England) | −25 | Playoff |
| 2024 | Paul Waring (England) | −24 | 2 strokes |
| 2023 | Victor Perez (France) | −18 | 1 stroke |
| 2022 | Thomas Pieters (Belgium) | −10 | 1 stroke |
| 2021 | Tyrrell Hatton (England) | −18 | 4 strokes |
Note: The 2021 tournament was played at Abu Dhabi Golf Club. Yas Links has hosted the event since 2022.
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Betting
Rory McIlroy heads the market at 7.00, with Tommy Fleetwood next at 9.00, followed by Adam Scott at 15.00 and Jon Rahm at 17.00. Defending champion Aaron Rai, Daniel Hillier and Eugenio López-Chacarra are all priced at 19.00.
With several of the world’s leading players competing and valuable Race to Dubai points on offer, this promises to be a fascinating tournament. We have gone with López-Chacarra and Fleetwood near the head of the market, South African Casey Jarvis at 36.00 and Joe Dean as our outsider at 67.00.
Betting (2026 Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship) – Click here to bet
| Player | Odds |
| Rory McIlroy | 7.00 |
| Tommy Fleetwood | 9.00 |
| Adam Scott | 15.00 |
| Jon Rahm | 17.00 |
| Aaron Rai | 19.00 |
| Daniel Hillier | 19.00 |
| Eugenio López-Chacarra | 19.00 |
Selections
Eugenio López-Chacarra at 19.00
Our first selection is López-Chacarra, who arrives in Abu Dhabi as the Race to Dubai leader following an outstanding season on the DP World Tour.
The Spaniard has been in particularly impressive form over the last month. He finished third at the Open de France before going one better at his home Open de España, where he was runner-up. He then claimed victory at the India Championship, his third DP World Tour title of the season.
His latest appearance came at the Genesis Championship in South Korea, where he finished 22nd, but that result does little to detract from an excellent run of performances.
With three victories already this season and the Race to Dubai title within reach, López-Chacarra has plenty of motivation to produce another strong showing.
At 19.00, he looks an attractive each-way option given his current form and confidence.
Suggested bet: Eugenio López-Chacarra each way at 19.00.
Tommy Fleetwood at 9.00
Our second selection is Tommy Fleetwood, who has an excellent record at the Abu Dhabi Championship and will be looking to go one better after finishing runner-up to Aaron Rai last year.
Fleetwood lost in a playoff at Yas Links in 2025, having also finished sixth at the course in 2024. He is a two-time former champion of this tournament, winning in 2017 and 2018 when it was played at Abu Dhabi Golf Club.
His recent form is also encouraging. He finished fifth at the India Championship and fourth at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, so he arrives with two top-five finishes from his recent starts.
Fleetwood’s combination of accurate iron play, strong driving and experience in links-style conditions makes him particularly well suited to Yas Links. He has already shown that he can contend here, and his recent performances suggest another strong challenge is possible.
At 9.00, he is a relatively short price, but I think his combination of course form and current form makes him worth supporting each way.
Suggested bet: Tommy Fleetwood each way at 9.00.
Casey Jarvis at 36.00
Our third selection is the in-form South African Casey Jarvis, who has enjoyed an outstanding season on the DP World Tour.
Jarvis has recorded two top-five finishes in his last three starts, including fourth at the Genesis Championship in South Korea and runner-up at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Those results add to a season in which he has already claimed two DP World Tour titles and established himself among the leading contenders in the Race to Dubai standings.
Jarvis is an exciting young player who has demonstrated his ability to compete in strong fields, and his recent performances suggest he is capable of another good result this week.
With the Race to Dubai title still mathematically within reach, there is plenty for him to play for. At 36.00, he offers an attractive each-way price on a player arriving in excellent form.
Suggested bet: Casey Jarvis each way at 36.00.
Joe Dean at 67.00
Our final selection is Englishman Joe Dean, who looks an interesting outsider at 67.00.
Dean has enjoyed a breakthrough season on the DP World Tour, claiming his maiden title at the British Masters and establishing himself among the leading players in the Race to Dubai standings.
His recent results include a tie for fifth at the Open de España, where he finished at 11-under par, demonstrating that he is still capable of competing near the top of strong leaderboards.
There is also plenty at stake for Dean this week. He enters the Abu Dhabi Championship occupying the final qualifying position for one of the PGA Tour cards available through the Race to Dubai, giving him an additional incentive to perform well over the closing two tournaments.
Yas Links should provide plenty of birdie opportunities if conditions remain calm, and Dean has shown this season that he is capable of producing the low scoring required to compete at this level.
He faces a strong field and will need to be at his best, but at 67.00 I think he is worth a speculative each-way bet.
Suggested bet: Joe Dean each way at 67.00.
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