As if 2020 wasn't already a year to remember professionally for Collin Morikawa, the US PGA Championship winner is aiming to round it off by becoming European No 1.
Somewhat strangely, he could collect that honour come the close of his first regular European Tour event.
With one stop on the calendar to go, Morikawa enters this week’s DP World Tour Championship at Jumeirah Golf Estates (JGE) third in the Race to Dubai. Thus, victory at the season finale – his UAE debut – would seal not one, but two premier prizes come Sunday.
Not bad for a 23-year-old American, albeit one whose precocious talent has returned three professional wins, and taken him in August to a first major title and to No 4 in the world rankings (he’s now seventh).
Even given all that, adding the Order of Merit crown would surely rank as another remarkable feat for the young gun with the gleaming game.
“I've been looking forward to this trip and, though I didn't really make my decision for a while, it was on my radar,” Morikawa said via videoconference on Wednesday, a day out from the first round at JGE. “Obviously I've put myself in a really good position to close out 2020 on a great note. To be here and make this my first start on the European Tour means a lot.”
California-born and based out of Las Vegas, Morikawa only took up an affiliate membership of the European Tour in February, while he has visited the Old Continent just the two times: both in amateur competition.
“I've talked about bringing my game around to the entire world, and what better way to show it, the DP World Tour Championship?” Morikawa said. “All the best players are here throughout 2020 and everyone is here to win.
His two best-placed rivals for twin trophies this week are Patrick Reed, the Race leader, and Tommy Fleetwood, the 2017 champion who sits second.
“There's a lot in between now and Sunday that has to happen, but winning the Race to Dubai would mean a lot because I want my game to travel,” Morikawa said. “I want to be a world player, be able to bring my game anywhere, adapt to the different places I come to. And this is just the first step of doing that.”
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Jon Rahm wins 2019 DP World Tour Championship and Race to Dubai
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In more good news for UAE golf fans, the Omega Dubai Desert Classic forms another plot on that path. Morikawa, who finished tied-44th at last month’s Masters, has decided to contest next month’s event, not too far away from his current locale, at Emirates Golf Club.
“I signed up for [European Tour] membership for next year already because I want to play out here,” he said. “There's a bunch of guys I've never met. I've seen them on TV and think they’re wonderful players, and there's a couple guys that I've seen longer than I have on the PGA Tour.
"I've grown up playing with Sam Horsfield and Sean Crocker my entire life, so it's good to see a couple guys play really well, make it out here. We all got here through some different way.
"I'm very thankful for the path that I've taken so far, but this week means a lot. It's a big week. I came here after some good rest after the Masters and really prepped, fresh mind and looking forward to the week.”
Land the season-long title, and Morikawa would create another slice of history: he’d become the first American to be Europe’s No 1.
“It would mean a lot, but I don't think that would mean the most,” he said. “I think winning the Race to Dubai would mean a lot for my career, for myself.”
BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
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
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.
Avatar: Fire and Ash
Director: James Cameron
Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana
Rating: 4.5/5
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.
The specs: McLaren 600LT
Price, base: Dh914,000
Engine: 3.8-litre twin-turbo V8
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 600hp @ 7,500rpm
Torque: 620Nm @ 5,500rpm
Fuel economy 12.2.L / 100km
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
Profile of VoucherSkout
Date of launch: November 2016
Founder: David Tobias
Based: Jumeirah Lake Towers
Sector: Technology
Size: 18 employees
Stage: Embarking on a Series A round to raise $5 million in the first quarter of 2019 with a 20 per cent stake
Investors: Seed round was self-funded with “millions of dollars”
How to donate
Send “thenational” to the following numbers or call the hotline on: 0502955999
2289 – Dh10
2252 – Dh 50
6025 – Dh20
6027 – Dh 100
6026 – Dh 200
