The Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship is the first of the DP World Tour's playoff events with a stellar line-up teeing it up at Yas Links. Who will claim victory in the UAE?
Paul Waring will not be back to defend his title after a two-stroke victory over Tyrrell Hatton in 2024.
These are our four selections who could win the title this weekend.
Tyrrell Hatton
Tyrrell Hatton has been in great touch since his return to the DP World Tour from the LIV Golf League, placing T5 at the BMW PGA Championship and 2nd at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship.
Other notable results achieved by Hatton include a victory at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, a T6 in Riyadh, a T20 in Hong Kong, a T19 in Singapore, a T14 at the Masters, a T5 in Mexico City, a T13 in South Korea, a T60 at the PGA Championship, a T15 in Virginia, a T4 at the U.S. Open, a T5 in Dallas, a T23 in Andalucía, and a T16 at the Open Championship.
The eight-time DP World Tour winner has compiled an excellent record at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, placing T10 in 2014, T6 in 2015, T46 in 2016, T13 in 2017, T15 in 2018, MC in 2019, victory in 2021, T6 in 2022, T7 in 2023, and 2nd in 2024.
Hatton loves playing at this event and can lift the winner's trophy come Sunday.
Aaron Rai
Aaron Rai has been in solid form on the PGA Tour and DP World Tour lately, placing T5 at the Wyndham Championship, T22 at the FedEx St. Jude Championship, T33 at the Betfred British Masters, MC at the Omega European Masters, and T3 at the BMW PGA Championship.
Additional highlights achieved by Rai this season include a T15 at the Sentry, a T4 at the Mexico Open, a T11 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, a T14 at the Players Championship, a T18 at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a T23 at the Truist Championship, a T19 at the PGA Championship, and a T17 at the Travelers Championship.
The 30-year-old has featured three times at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, finishing T54 in 2019, MC in 2020, and T25 in 2021.
Rai has been showing signs that he is ready to produce a top result in Abu Dhabi this weekend.
Rasmus Hojgaard
Rasmus Hojgaard has been performing well on the DP World Tour and PGA Tour since mid-August, placing 2nd at the Danish Golf Championship, T13 at the Betfred British Masters, T2 at the Omega European Masters, MC at the BMW PGA Championship, T3 at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, and T14 at the Baycurrent Classic.
Other noteworthy results achieved by Rasmus Hojgaard this year include a T14 at the Hero Dubai Desert Classic, a T22 at the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am, a T12 at the WM Phoenix Open, a 2nd at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans, a T23 at the Truist Championship, and a T16 at the Open Championship.
The Ryder Cup winner has made four appearances at the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, with results of MC in 2020, T25 in 2021, T20 in 2022, and T32 in 2024.
Rasmus Hojgaard will have every chance of victory at Yas Links, as he has been in superb form lately.
Angel Ayora
Angel Ayora has been in excellent form on the DP World Tour during the past two months, placing T13 at the Betfred British Masters, T8 at the Omega European Masters, T5 at the Amgen Irish Open, T54 at the BMW PGA Championship, T56 at the Open de Espana, T5 at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, T9 at the Open de Espana, MC at the DP World India Championship, and T7 at the Genesis Championship.
Other prominent performances achieved by Ayora this season include a T6 at the BMW Australian PGA Championship, a T23 at the ISPS Handa Australian Open, a T5 at the Alfred Dunhill Championship, a T14 at the Qatar Masters, a T20 at the Magical Kenya Open, a T11 at the Soudal Open, a T19 at the KLM Open, and a T7 at the Italian Open.
The young Spaniard makes his debut at the 2025 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship.
Ayora can convert his consistent results into a winning performance this weekend.