Fleetwood joins Abu Dhabi Championship field

Past champions Tommy Fleetwood and Tyrrell Hatton will return to the Abu Dhabi Aldar Championship, staged by the DP World Tour and Abu Dhabi Sports Council, from November 5–8, alongside Major Champion Adam Scott, as the DP World Tour Play-Offs get underway at Yas Links next week.

They join a stellar field featuring Race to Dubai Rankings Delivered by DP World leader Eugenio Chacarra, defending champion Aaron Rai, Major Champions Rory McIlroy and Patrick Reed, and two-time DP World Tour winner Casey Jarvis. With all five leading players in the Rankings confirmed, Abu Dhabi is set to play a pivotal role in deciding who lifts the Harry Vardon Trophy.

Fleetwood will be chasing a third Abu Dhabi title, having won back-to-back editions in 2017 and 2018. His first victory featured a chip-in eagle at the tenth as he edged Dustin Johnson and Pablo Larrazábal by one shot, before a closing 65 secured his second title 12 months later.

The Dubai resident and world No. 7 went on to win the Race to Dubai in 2017 and the inaugural Dubai Invitational in 2024, before claiming the PGA Tour’s FedExCup last year.

Hatton, the 2021 Abu Dhabi champion, has five Rolex Series titles to his name, including victories at Abu Dhabi Golf Club and the Hero Dubai Desert Classic in 2025.

Scott adds further Major-winning pedigree to the field. The 2013 Masters champion became the first Australian to win the Green Jacket and has recorded more than 30 professional victories worldwide, having also reached world No. 1.

He will be joined by fellow Masters champion Jon Rahm, who won at Augusta National in 2023 and will make his debut at Yas Links.

Yuto Katsuragawa will also tee it up after securing his place in the Play-Offs with victory at the Genesis Championship in South Korea.

The Japanese player claimed his second DP World Tour title with a 13-under-par total, climbing from 106th to 28th in the Rankings and guaranteeing his place at both Rolex Series events in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Rai will return to the UAE as a major champion as he looks to defend his title.

The Englishman claimed his second Rolex Series title at Yas Links last November, overcoming Fleetwood in a dramatic play-off, and he has built on that success in style.

In May, the 31-year-old sealed his maiden Major title with a masterclass in composure at Aronimink Golf Club, becoming the first Englishman in 107 years to lift the Wanamaker Trophy after a sublime back nine at the PGA Championship.

“Winning at Yas Links last year was a really special moment for me, so I’m really looking forward to going back and defending the title. It is a tournament that has a lot of history and a golf course that I really enjoy,” said Rai, who sits fifth in the Race to Dubai Rankings Delivered by DP World.

The field also includes two-time DP World Tour winner Jayden Schaper, Husqvarna British Masters hosted by Sir Nick Faldo champion Joe Dean and Dubai Invitational winner Nacho Elvira.