ABU DHABI ALDAR GOLF CHAMPIONSHIP

November 8, 2026

Francesco Laporta

Yas Links

Quick Quotes

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Q. Commiserations, not the result you wanted today but an incredible week here in Abu Dhabi. You must be extremely proud. What have you learned about yourself going toe-to-toe with Giants of the European game?

FRANCESCO LAPORTA: I learned I can compete with these guys, definitely. It was a good day, and then just did a couple bad shots in a row. Actually it wasn't really a bad shot on 13. It was a good club. It just went like 15 metres more than what we expect, and yeah, it was a tough shot from there. Not very lucky with the bounce on the green. That's golf. Things like that happen every day.

But I'm proud of myself, how I handled this week, and my goal was to play next week and I'm in that, and we have a new opportunity next week.

Q. As you alluded to, momentum changed today, but how proud are you to have battled out there today?

FRANCESCO LAPORTA: I mean, yeah, momentum changed definitely, but I keep it up. U made a good birdie on 14, three good par putts, four about putts to finish. That was quite crucial. It was tough out there.

Competing at this level is tough. You have to be to precise on everything. A couple bad shots can cost you a lot. I'm very happy and next week, hopefully to have another good week.

Q. As you just mentioned, playing next week. You were 57 in The Race to Dubai. This finish here this week, you played yourself into the final event of the year. What can you take from this week into next?

FRANCESCO LAPORTA: I'm playing at home next week because I live in Dubai. So it's my home event. It was a dream. I think I'm projected 25 now, so I have another goal for next week. So I think Top 25 or Top 20 get me in The Open next year, so that would be my goal.

Yeah, I mean, I'm just very happy I have my family here, my friends flew over, my wife, my kids, and just proud and happy. I'll keep it up for next week and try to bring good golf also for next week, yeah.