Having emerged as the last man standing on a thrilling, oscillating final day in front of vast galleries at the Slync.io Dubai Desert Classic, Viktor Hovland was asked if he had ever experienced anything like it before.
The 24-year-old Norwegian had mounted an extraordinary late surge to give himself a shot, finishing birdie, eagle, birdie.
Even then, he had to stave off a four-time major winner, and then, via a playoff, a player who is precisely twice his age. Finally, with shadows lengthening across the 18th green, the Dallah Trophy was his.
Surely, in all his time as a golfer – Hovland is in his third year on tour, after all – he had never experienced anything quite like it? Well, there was this one time …
“I do distinctly remember a little match I had in college,” Hovland said, after beating Richard Bland, 48, at the extra playoff hole.
“We used to do a little Ryder Cup [between friends]. We were basically playing for dinner, and it was kind of getting dark like this, and it was pretty feisty.
“We all didn't want to lose and I remember we were doing stroke play best-ball. They were down I think three strokes with three to go, and I finished birdie, birdie, and then eagle on the last to beat them by a shot.
“They were so mad, and it just brought me so much joy. So I do remember that one.”
Beating college mates. Beating Rory McIlroy in the Rolex Series on the DP World Tour. Same, same.
Fair to say, though, this one was a little more lucrative. Hovland is $1.36 million better off for his success around the Majlis Course. The victory also takes him up to No 3 in the world rankings.
Quite how he reached that point is still hard to believe. The free admission offered for this tournament bloated the crowds to never-before-seen levels – or at least not since Tiger Woods came and played while at the zenith of his celebrity.
The galleries were by turns rapt and stunned by what unfolded over a final round in which it seemed the leading protagonists were more intent on losing than winning.
Hovland left his push late. He made his second eagle of the week at the 71st hole he played, having striped his tee-shot 327 yards, right into the heart of the 17th green. From 33ft, he proceeded to roll in a putt which he said he might make “one in 20 times, especially as it was going both ways, and it's so sandy”.
Another monstrous tee-shot down 18 left him in prime position, with just 186 yards left to the flag. The ensuing birdie gave him the clubhouse lead at 12-under. Soon after it was matched by Bland, who finished with a brace of birdies.
Safe in the knowledge they had done their bit, each headed to the driving range – albeit perhaps more in hope than expectation they would make a playoff.
McIlroy, after all, still had 17 and 18 to play. But where Bland and Hovland thrived over the finish, McIlroy imploded. He made par at the penultimate hole then fired his second shot into the middle of the lake defending the green.
With McIlroy removed from the equation, it was down to just two. They played the 18th again to decide it. Hovland made four, Bland five.
“I didn't really think this was possible going in today,” Hovland said.
“I knew I had to shoot a really low number but a lot of things had to go my way, and I’m thankful they did.”
Key developments in maritime dispute
2000: Israel withdraws from Lebanon after nearly 30 years without an officially demarcated border. The UN establishes the Blue Line to act as the frontier.
2007: Lebanon and Cyprus define their respective exclusive economic zones to facilitate oil and gas exploration. Israel uses this to define its EEZ with Cyprus
2011: Lebanon disputes Israeli-proposed line and submits documents to UN showing different EEZ. Cyprus offers to mediate without much progress.
2018: Lebanon signs first offshore oil and gas licencing deal with consortium of France’s Total, Italy’s Eni and Russia’s Novatek.
2018-2019: US seeks to mediate between Israel and Lebanon to prevent clashes over oil and gas resources.
How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
Know before you go
- Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
- If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
- By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
- Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
- Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.
The biog
Name: Abeer Al Shahi
Emirate: Sharjah – Khor Fakkan
Education: Master’s degree in special education, preparing for a PhD in philosophy.
Favourite activities: Bungee jumping
Favourite quote: “My people and I will not settle for anything less than first place” – Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid.
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
The years Ramadan fell in May
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
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.”
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Lamsa
Founder: Badr Ward
Launched: 2014
Employees: 60
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: EdTech
Funding to date: $15 million
