There are a few things which immediately spring to mind when thinking about Dubai. The Burj Khalifa, obviously. The Creek and Jumeirah Beach, of course. The Burj Al Arab, certainly.
And Rory McIlroy. Not many things are quite as synonymous with this city as success for the Northern Irishman on its golf courses.
After claiming a historic fourth title at the Emirates Golf Club on Sunday, McIlroy acknowledged that he and the city had grown up together in the best part of two decades since they first made each other’s acquaintance.
His list of career highlights has “Dubai” written on it more times than an Emirates Airlines flight schedule. Along with his four Dubai Desert Classic titles, he has won the Race to Dubai five times, and the DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates, twice.
“The arc of my career and Dubai in general have tracked each other pretty consistently along the way,” said McIlroy, whose winning score of 14-under-par was one better than runner up Adrian Meronk.
“I remember my first Desert Classic in '06 as an amateur, staying what seemed like out in the desert. It's probably only ten minutes away now, it's so built up.
“To think, 18 years ago, what it meant to come here and play in this event, to be sitting here now having won it four times, and all the great experiences that I've had in Dubai and the friends that I've met.
“It's always been a place where I come back to and reminisce about my career because I really feel like it's where everything started.”
Back in 2006, McIlroy revelled in his invite to play at the Classic while still a teenaged amateur. His dad was on his bag. He could visit his mate’s villa, and play with his dog and his X-Box.
And, he revealed after his fourth title win, he had even pulled a ruse to nip inside the ropes to watch his heroes in action when he was done with his own playing commitments.
“The first Desert Classic, I took a media credential and I walked inside the ropes to follow Tiger [Woods], Ernie Els and Thomas Bjorn,” he said.
“To think about even the arc of that: Thomas Bjorn is my Ryder Cup captain; I ended up buying Ernie Els's house; and I've become really good friends with Tiger Woods. It's just amazing to think back on the last 18 years and where I find myself.
“I certainly don't take anything for granted, and I always appreciate the opportunity to be able to do what I do. It feels amazing to sit here and have won that big coffee pot four times.”
Back then, his father, Gerry, had the best view of his boy on the course, as his caddie. Eighteen years on, even he has to vie for room in massive galleries, the size of which were only ever previously reserved for Woods.
Such has McIlroy’s popularity become, the masses following him around this weekend might even have been larger than any of those that witnessed Woods here.
This time around, McIlroy’s mother Rosie was back to see him. And, again, to pose with the trophy beside the 18th green.
“This is her first time in Dubai in nine years,” McIlroy said. “They also love coming to Dubai and love spending time here.
“we've got three of those pictures on the 18th green. They weren't here for the win last year, but it's pretty cool.
“From 2009 to now, and the 15 years that have passed and everything that's happened, it's still incredibly cool to be able to do those things with them.”
Frankenstein in Baghdad
Ahmed Saadawi
Penguin Press
Challenge Cup result:
1. UAE 3 faults
2. Ireland 9 faults
3. Brazil 11 faults
4. Spain 15 faults
5. Great Britain 17 faults
6. New Zealand 20 faults
7. Italy 26 faults
GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh149,900
'Munich: The Edge of War'
Director: Christian Schwochow
Starring: George MacKay, Jannis Niewohner, Jeremy Irons
Rating: 3/5
WIDE%20VIEW
%3Cp%3EThe%20benefits%20of%20HoloLens%202%2C%20according%20to%20Microsoft%3A%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EManufacturing%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Reduces%20downtime%20and%20speeds%20up%20onboarding%20and%20upskilling%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngineering%20and%20construction%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Accelerates%20the%20pace%20of%20construction%20and%20mitigates%20risks%20earlier%20in%20the%20construction%20cycle%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EHealth%20care%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Enhances%20the%20delivery%20of%20patient%20treatment%20at%20the%20point%20of%20care%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEducation%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Improves%20student%20outcomes%20and%20teaches%20from%20anywhere%20with%20experiential%20learning%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Match info
Costa Rica 0
Serbia 1
Kolarov (56')
The story of Edge
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, established Edge in 2019.
It brought together 25 state-owned and independent companies specialising in weapons systems, cyber protection and electronic warfare.
Edge has an annual revenue of $5 billion and employs more than 12,000 people.
Some of the companies include Nimr, a maker of armoured vehicles, Caracal, which manufactures guns and ammunitions company, Lahab
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
More from Mohammed Alardhi
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
British Grand Prix free practice times in the third and final session at Silverstone on Saturday (top five):
1. Lewis Hamilton (GBR/Mercedes) 1:28.063 (18 laps)
2. Sebastian Vettel (GER/Ferrari) 1:28.095 (14)
3. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Mercedes) 1:28.137 (20)
4. Kimi Raikkonen (FIN/Ferrari) 1:28.732 (15)
5. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Renault) 1:29.480 (14)
Timeline
2012-2015
The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East
May 2017
The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts
September 2021
Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act
October 2021
Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence
December 2024
Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group
May 2025
The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan
July 2025
The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan
August 2025
Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision
October 2025
Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange
November 2025
180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE