Adam Scott and Daniel Hillier well placed in Abu Dhabi
Adam Scott – file photo – three from the lead through 36 holes.
Australian Adam Scott and New Zealander Daniel Hillier have made solid starts to the Abu Dhabi Aldar Golf Championship, the pair three and four shots, respectively, from the lead at the halfway mark of the US$9 million event at the Yas Links Golf Club.
Both players added second rounds of 67 to be within striking distance of the lead as the event heads into the weekend, although ahead of them are several of the game’s best, Jon Rahm, Tyrell Hatton and Rory McIlroy.
Rahm, Hatton and Italy’s Francesco Laporta lead at 12 under, one ahead of McIlroy, Poland’s in-form Adrian Meronk, and Englishmen Matthew Jordan and Sam Bairstow.
Scott is in a share of 10th place while Hillier shares 12th.
The event is the first of two playoffs to complete the 2026 season, with the leading 50 after this week eligible to tee it up in next week’s DP World Tour Championship in Dubai.
Adam Scott needs a good week if he is to advance to the leading 50 and gain access to the season-ending event next week, but he has made a fine start and now seems all but assured of being in Dubai.
Hillier, somewhat of a Middle East specialist, is currently in 7th place in the rankings, so if Scott continues his good play, then he, Hillier and Ryan Fox will be in Dubai, Fox choosing to miss this week’s event.
