From Friday, Europe take on the United States in the Ryder Cup at Le Golf National seeking to reclaim the trophy they lost in America two years ago.
Are this American side set to break their Europe hoodoo?
The last time the US travelled across the Atlantic they were soundly beaten. A 16.5-11.5 defeat at Gleneagles consigned them to an eighth loss from 10 attempts. It even sparked a task force. But that crack unit appeared then to have cracked the conundrum: at Hazeltine 2016, the US blitzed to an even greater victory, winning by six. The cup was back in their hands. Now, though, if they want to hang on to it they have to do something they haven’t managed in 25 years: win on European soil.
“We’re reminded of it quite often,” captain Jim Furyk said on Monday, describing a streak that stretches all the way back to the Belfry in 1993 as a “thorn in their side”. That said, and even though Furyk sought to downplay it, it should provide extra motivation. It helps, as well, that counterpart Thomas Bjorn labelled this US crop “one of the strongest American teams of all-time”. They have collected 31 majors titles, to Europe’s eight, and hold an average world ranking of 11.2, to Europe’s 19.1. Nevertheless, doing it in outside their own back yard represents the ultimate acid test.
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Read more:
Memory lane: five memorable Ryder Cup moments
2018 Ryder Cup: the numbers that really count
From Rose and Stenson to Woods and DeChambeau - Ryder Cup's most likely pairings
WATCH: Tiger Woods says Ryder Cup wild card pick 'beyond special'
How to watch the Ryder Cup in UAE: Complete guide to Europe v US
Revived Tiger Woods and Justin Rose spice up Ryder Cup showdown
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Can Tiger Woods turn around his poor Ryder record?
What a way to announce your comeback. Woods won the final event of the PGA Tour season on Sunday, rising above the racket at East Lake to claim the Tour Championship and register a first victory in five years. Not a bad way, then, to make the transition to Le Golf National. Now, having seemingly laid to past the ghosts of injury and ignominy, the 80-time PGA Tour winner must go about exorcising some substantial Ryder Cup demons. Questions regarding Woods' enthusiasm for the event may have subsided – he was a committed vice-captain two years ago and was all set for that role again before his play made certain a wildcard pick – but his ropey playing record remains: in 31 matches, the American has taken only 14.5 points, losing 17 times. Yet this is Woods 2.0, a former lone wolf who has embraced the collective. His game this season has been superb. The scenes on Sunday that greeted his return to the winner's circle were incredible. Yet as always, and ever more because of his current form, the spotlight will burn bright this week. Woods must respond.
Will Sergio Garcia justify his captain’s faith?
It was some endorsement. “Sergio is my Seve,” claimed Thomas Bjorn, Europe’s captain, earlier this month upon confirming Garcia as one of his four wildcards. There can be little argument, too, that the Spaniard constitutes the “heartbeat of the team”, since few rival Garcia in passion for the Ryder Cup (Ian Poulter, perhaps, aside). But Garcia’s talismanic influence - compared to that of celebrated compatriot Seve Ballesteros - runs in contrast to his play this past year. After finally landing a first major at last year’s Masters, he missed the cut in all four premier events this season. Until Sunday, he had one top-10 finish, although crucially that came at the French Open, the same venue that hosts this week. But Sunday sealed a welcome return to form. Garcia finished tied-seventh in Portugal. He fired a final-round 65. A veteran of eight Ryder Cups, he boasts an impressive 19-11-7 record. What is more, he excels in partnerships, losing only six of 23 foursomes and fourball matches. Criticised for including Garcia, Bjorn will hope his pick's sudden rude health, following a month off competitively, bleeds into this week.
Will rookies rise to the occasion or succumb to nerves?
The number of novices on Team Europe tallies five. The US have three. Some boast incredible individual careers already, such as Justin Thomas, a major winner at 24, or Jon Rahm, who reached world No 2 after a solitary full season as a professional. Also, Bryson DeChambeau concluded this year with two huge victories, while Tommy Fleetwood is the reigning European No 1. Alex Noren, meanwhile, won earlier this year at Le Golf National. But, as is well documented, the Ryder Cup constitutes a different beast. So, then, how will the pressure of competing for your continent sit on rookie shoulders? For that, Bjorn leaned heavily on experience when choosing his wildcards. In 2010, Europe prevailed despite having six debutants – a record then. At Hazeltine, Europe again had six and although the team lost, Thomas Pieters finished as the event’s leading points-scorer, taking four from a possible five. Rafa Cabrera Bello shone, too, as did Brooks Koepka. The notoriously demanding closing stretch at Le Golf National is dominated by water. Fresh to the Ryder Cup, newbies this week will either ride the wave of excitement or struggle to stay afloat.
Can home advantage prove decisive?
It measures as both a tangible and an intangible. Course conditions can be complementary to the home team, while the support from the stands can serve as spur to propel hosts across the line. At Hazeltine, the US played on that patriotism, the crowd loud, the noise partisan. Patrick Reed, in particular, thrived on it. Rory McIlroy had a fan ejected. In France, expect the most vociferous voices to be cheering for the boys in blue. The gargantuan grandstand on the first tee, the largest in Ryder Cup history boasting a 6,500 capacity - Hazeltine had 1,668 - provides a real amphitheatre feel, adding to an event that seems to only swell in significance with every iteration. The course, too, should play into Europe’s hands. Narrow fairways and thicker rough is designed to counter the US’ apparent length advantage. It promotes strategy over strength. Only three Americans have logged competitive rounds at the venue, two of which missed the cut. Noren and Fleetwood have won there the past two years. “Does it favour our guys more than theirs?” mused Europe vice-captain Graeme McDowell. “We think it does."
Fixtures
Tuesday - 5.15pm: Team Lebanon v Alger Corsaires; 8.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Pharaohs
Wednesday - 5.15pm: Pharaohs v Carthage Eagles; 8.30pm: Alger Corsaires v Abu Dhabi Storms
Thursday - 4.30pm: Team Lebanon v Pharaohs; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Carthage Eagles
Friday - 4.30pm: Pharaohs v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Team Lebanon
Saturday - 4.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Team Lebanon
States of Passion by Nihad Sirees,
Pushkin Press
Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.
Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.
“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.
“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.
Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.
From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.
Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.
BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.
Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.
Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.
“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.
Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.
“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.
“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”
The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”
What vitamins do we know are beneficial for living in the UAE
Vitamin D: Highly relevant in the UAE due to limited sun exposure; supports bone health, immunity and mood.
Vitamin B12: Important for nerve health and energy production, especially for vegetarians, vegans and individuals with absorption issues.
Iron: Useful only when deficiency or anaemia is confirmed; helps reduce fatigue and support immunity.
Omega-3 (EPA/DHA): Supports heart health and reduces inflammation, especially for those who consume little fish.
Fixtures:
Wed Aug 29 – Malaysia v Hong Kong, Nepal v Oman, UAE v Singapore
Thu Aug 30 - UAE v Nepal, Hong Kong v Singapore, Malaysia v Oman
Sat Sep 1 - UAE v Hong Kong, Oman v Singapore, Malaysia v Nepal
Sun Sep 2 – Hong Kong v Oman, Malaysia v UAE, Nepal v Singapore
Tue Sep 4 - Malaysia v Singapore, UAE v Oman, Nepal v Hong Kong
Thu Sep 6 – Final
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
How to get there
Emirates (www.emirates.com) flies directly to Hanoi, Vietnam, with fares starting from around Dh2,725 return, while Etihad (www.etihad.com) fares cost about Dh2,213 return with a stop. Chuong is 25 kilometres south of Hanoi.
Quick pearls of wisdom
Focus on gratitude: And do so deeply, he says. “Think of one to three things a day that you’re grateful for. It needs to be specific, too, don’t just say ‘air.’ Really think about it. If you’re grateful for, say, what your parents have done for you, that will motivate you to do more for the world.”
Know how to fight: Shetty married his wife, Radhi, three years ago (he met her in a meditation class before he went off and became a monk). He says they’ve had to learn to respect each other’s “fighting styles” – he’s a talk it-out-immediately person, while she needs space to think. “When you’re having an argument, remember, it’s not you against each other. It’s both of you against the problem. When you win, they lose. If you’re on a team you have to win together.”
Tuesday results:
- Singapore bt Malaysia by 29 runs
- UAE bt Oman by 13 runs
- Hong Kong bt Nepal by 3 wickets
Final:
Thursday, UAE v Hong Kong
Tips for entertaining with ease
· Set the table the night before. It’s a small job but it will make you feel more organised once done.
· As the host, your mood sets the tone. If people arrive to find you red-faced and harried, they’re not going to relax until you do. Take a deep breath and try to exude calm energy.
· Guests tend to turn up thirsty. Fill a big jug with iced water and lemon or lime slices and encourage people to help themselves.
· Have some background music on to help create a bit of ambience and fill any initial lulls in conversations.
· The meal certainly doesn’t need to be ready the moment your guests step through the door, but if there’s a nibble or two that can be passed around it will ward off hunger pangs and buy you a bit more time in the kitchen.
· You absolutely don’t have to make every element of the brunch from scratch. Take inspiration from our ideas for ready-made extras and by all means pick up a store-bought dessert.
