DUBAI // Andrew Marshall held his nerve to birdie the first play-off hole against fellow Englishman Adam Sagar to win the Sheikh Maktoum Dubai Open, his second title on the Mena Golf Tour, at Al Badia Golf Club on Wednesday.
Marshall executed superbly on the first extra hole, the par-5 18th, drilling his six iron from 195 yards to within 10 feet and two-putted for the winning birdie while Sagar found the water with his approach in a tense finish.
See more on the Sheikh Maktoum Dubai Open:
• Round 2: Andrew Marshall steps on the gas to take a two-shot lead
• Round 1: Fredrik Lindblom holds one-shot lead after opening round
With an overnight lead of two strokes, Marshall closed with a 73 to reach eight under for the tournament in regulation, forcing a play-off with his compatriot who, playing four groups behind, carded a final round of 68 to set the clubhouse target.
Morocco’s Younes El Hassani returned final-round 71 for a share of third on six under along with Sixto Casabona-Navarro of Spain, Fredrik Lindblom of Sweden and Chile’s Antonio Costa.
The day ultimately belonged to Marshall, though. The European Tour veteran had his fair share of anxious moments, but each time he responded to seal another win in a season overflowing with dominant performances on the Mena Tour.
“It feels nice to get the job done. I played quite nicely, but my putting wasn’t up the mark, missed quite a few short ones coming home,” said Marshall after receiving the winner’s trophy and a cheque for US$9,000 (Dh33,000).
“I needed a birdie on the final hole to win in regulation, but my aggressive approach didn’t pay off. I chipped out of the bunker well, but missed the ensuing putt by a whisker.
“Also, hot and humid conditions made things a bit difficult and then there was the pressure of holding on to the lead,” said the 42-year-old Englishman who now boasts two firsts, a second and a tied seventh in the four events he has played in his first season on tour.
“I am loving this little run on the Mena Golf Tour. If I can keep the momentum going it will be great.”
Tied for seventh on four under overnight, Sagar rebounded from a start littered with three bogeys to start followed by a streak of seven birdies, including four in succession from the 12th to set up an anxious finale.
“I fought back well and put myself into contention, which was great,” said Sagar, who like Marshall, is also playing in his first season the Mena Tour.
“At the end of the day, I fell short by just one shot. Look forward to playing the next event on tour and hopefully I can get over the line.”
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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.”
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What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
if you go
The flights
Flydubai offers three daily direct flights to Sarajevo and, from June, a daily flight from Thessaloniki from Dubai. A return flight costs from Dhs1,905 including taxes.
The trip
The Travel Scientists are the organisers of the Balkan Ride and several other rallies around the world. The 2018 running of this particular adventure will take place from August 3-11, once again starting in Sarajevo and ending a week later in Thessaloniki. If you’re driving your own vehicle, then entry start from €880 (Dhs 3,900) per person including all accommodation along the route. Contact the Travel Scientists if you wish to hire one of their vehicles.
How green is the expo nursery?
Some 400,000 shrubs and 13,000 trees in the on-site nursery
An additional 450,000 shrubs and 4,000 trees to be delivered in the months leading up to the expo
Ghaf, date palm, acacia arabica, acacia tortilis, vitex or sage, techoma and the salvadora are just some heat tolerant native plants in the nursery
Approximately 340 species of shrubs and trees selected for diverse landscape
The nursery team works exclusively with organic fertilisers and pesticides
All shrubs and trees supplied by Dubai Municipality
Most sourced from farms, nurseries across the country
Plants and trees are re-potted when they arrive at nursery to give them room to grow
Some mature trees are in open areas or planted within the expo site
Green waste is recycled as compost
Treated sewage effluent supplied by Dubai Municipality is used to meet the majority of the nursery’s irrigation needs
Construction workforce peaked at 40,000 workers
About 65,000 people have signed up to volunteer
Main themes of expo is ‘Connecting Minds, Creating the Future’ and three subthemes of opportunity, mobility and sustainability.
Expo 2020 Dubai to open in October 2020 and run for six months
The biog
Alwyn Stephen says much of his success is a result of taking an educated chance on business decisions.
His advice to anyone starting out in business is to have no fear as life is about taking on challenges.
“If you have the ambition and dream of something, follow that dream, be positive, determined and set goals.
"Nothing and no-one can stop you from succeeding with the right work application, and a little bit of luck along the way.”
Mr Stephen sells his luxury fragrances at selected perfumeries around the UAE, including the House of Niche Boutique in Al Seef.
He relaxes by spending time with his family at home, and enjoying his wife’s India cooking.
Classification from Tour de France after Stage 17
1. Chris Froome (Britain / Team Sky) 73:27:26"
2. Rigoberto Uran (Colombia / Cannondale-Drapac) 27"
3. Romain Bardet (France / AG2R La Mondiale)
4. Fabio Aru (Italy / Astana Pro Team) 53"
5. Mikel Landa (Spain / Team Sky) 1:24"
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
LA LIGA FIXTURES
Friday (UAE kick-off times)
Levante v Real Mallorca (12am)
Leganes v Barcelona (4pm)
Real Betis v Valencia (7pm)
Granada v Atletico Madrid (9.30pm)
Sunday
Real Madrid v Real Sociedad (12am)
Espanyol v Getafe (3pm)
Osasuna v Athletic Bilbao (5pm)
Eibar v Alaves (7pm)
Villarreal v Celta Vigo (9.30pm)
Monday
Real Valladolid v Sevilla (12am)
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
