As the European Tour enters its decisive fortnight in the UAE, Yas Links in Abu Dhabi takes centre stage for the HSBC Championship. The event marks the opening leg of the DP World Race to Dubai play-offs, where the top 70 players on the Order of Merit compete before the field narrows to 50 for next week’s finale at Jumeirah Golf Estates.
With 3,500 points up for grabs and world No. 2 Rory McIlroy leading the standings, there’s everything to play for in this high-stakes stretch under the desert sun.
McIlroy: ‘A Bit Peculiar’ But a Step Closer to Tradition
After Wednesday’s Pro-Am, Ryder Cup icons Rory McIlroy, Tyrrell Hatton and Tommy Fleetwood shared their thoughts on golf’s evolving landscape – particularly LIV Golf’s decision to switch to a 72-hole format from next season.
McIlroy, one of LIV’s most vocal critics, called the move “a bit peculiar” but admitted it aligns the Saudi-backed circuit more closely with traditional tours.
I think they could have got ranking points with three rounds. It brings them back into not really being a destructor, sort of falling more in line with what everyone else does.
Still, he doubted the change would affect LIV’s world ranking prospects.
“Their strength of fields are going to be so weak because a lot of the guys have fallen already in the rankings.”
Hatton Welcomes Change: ‘It’s the Right Move’
Hatton, who splits time between tours, struck a pragmatic tone.
“I think it’s a good thing that LIV have moved to four rounds,” he said. “At the end of my first season there was a questionnaire, and only three guys had said about moving. That’s changed quite a bit in the last year, and from my standpoint, I’m quite happy that we’ve moved to 72 holes.”
For the Englishman, who thrives in challenging conditions, the decision reflects a growing maturity in LIV’s structure – and perhaps a subtle shift towards reunifying golf’s divided world.
Fleetwood at Home in the Emirates
Fleetwood, who continues to commit to the DP World Tour, steered clear of the politics and spoke instead of his enduring ties with the region. Based in Dubai, he now runs the Tommy Fleetwood Academies, nurturing the next generation of golfers.
The UAE has been so good to us – professionally and personally. To be able to give back and build here is big for us.
Course Talk: Yas Links Tests and Rewards
All three players hailed Yas Links as a stunning yet demanding venue. Hatton described it as “amazing every year” but warned of the wind and “pretty severe slopes” on its greens. Fleetwood admitted he has “never quite mastered” the layout but loves “the challenge and the preparation it demands.”
For McIlroy, the mission is unfinished. Despite nine top-three finishes in Abu Dhabi, the Falcon Trophy has always eluded him.
I’d love to get my hands on that Falcon Trophy. I’ve been close. I know if I play the way I can, everything will work out.
Eyes on Dubai: The Final Push
As McIlroy hunts another Race to Dubai crown, Hatton aims to cap his season with a flourish, and Fleetwood embraces his home advantage, the stage is set for a captivating week in Abu Dhabi. Under the sweeping desert skies of Yas Links, Europe’s finest are not just chasing points – they’re chasing legacy.
