The two-time major champion sits at 18-under par at Yas Links. A strange moment on the par-3 17th hole nearly derailed his momentum before he could finish strong. A spectator held a beer that cast a shadow right where Rahm’s ball lay. The Spaniard paused to ask if the fan was holding the drink, then told the crowd that as long as you’re still, it’s all good. Laughter broke the tension as Rahm finished his round with successive pars to secure the top spot.
A Bizarre Distraction on the Course
The incident happened while Rahm was setting up for his tee shot on Saturday. A beer shadow was spotted by GolfMagic at the precise location where his ball rested. Rahm asked the visibly shocked fan, “Is that the beer?” before making his comment about staying still. During a round typically requiring intense focus, this rare humorous moment occurred. Despite the odd interruption, Rahm showed he can handle pressure with a smile. He birdied holes 10, 12, and 15 while recording an eagle on the par-5 11th hole. His front nine included two birdies and a bogey, but he caught fire later in the round.
Chasing Down a DP World Tour Win
Since the 2022 DP World Tour Championship, Rahm has not secured a victory on the European circuit. He is looking to end that four-year drought on Sunday. Speaking after his round, Rahm admitted, “Wishing I would have hit a couple better putts in the last two holes, right, just misread those two putts. But overall, obviously very good golf.” He knows the competition is tight with Tyrrell Hatton and Francesco Laporta tied for second at 17-under. Rory McIlroy sits two shots back after shooting a 67. The total prize fund for the tournament stands at $9 million, with the winner banking $1.5 million.
Winning here would mean a lot to the Spanish star who formerly played on the LIV Golf Tour. Hatton and Laporta will join Rahm in the final group at 11:25 am local time. Hatton said he expects low scoring and that everyone will need to play well to catch the leader. The final round tee times are set for Sunday, with the top three players heading out together.
