Jon Rahm hasn't trodden a typical path to this week’s DP World Tour Championship.
Winner of the event two years ago, the world No 5 spent the past six weeks away from competitive golf. He has not played, in fact, since his most recent victory, his successful defence at the Spanish Open.
Still, Rahm arrived at Jumeirah Golf Estates with the chance to conclude another strong season with a first European No 1 crown.
Even with the self-imposed downtime, the Spaniard enters the grand finale third in the Race to Dubai, knowing a win, coupled with a tied second or worse for leader Bernd Wiesberger, could land him the honour.
So, while his game might not be the sharpest, the time away helped firm his focus. Especially since the next 12 months includes the Tokyo Olympics and Ryder Cup, not to mention his wedding to fiance Kelley Cahill.
“I needed it. Honestly, I needed it,” Rahm said on Wednesday. “After Spain, I stayed home for a week, and after that, three more weeks in Arizona where I truly didn’t even step on a golf course.
“With the year we have coming up, and basically ever since I became a good amateur in Spain, it’s almost been 10 straight years of non-stop. Never have had a break like that, and professional golf is demanding.
“It was more like a future thing, knowing that with me getting married in Christmas, and the year we’re going to have, I needed a break at some point.”
Understandably, he concedes ring rust could be an issue. Rahm's course pedigree is not open to question: he won around Earth two years ago on debut, prevailing by a single shot. Last year, he was tied fourth. It’s just the long lay-off could be a factor.
“I really don’t know how it’s going to go,” Rahm said. “I’m hoping it’s going to be good. I'm feeling good. Feeling rested and looking forward to the week.”
Although, in the final furlongs of the Race, he is playing catch-up. “I’d rather be the front man, honestly,” he said.
“You don’t necessarily have to win. You just need to play good. But I’m here to win, and hopefully I get it done and won't have to think about the possible consequences of it.”
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- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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The specs: Lamborghini Aventador SVJ
Price, base: Dh1,731,672
Engine: 6.5-litre V12
Gearbox: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 770hp @ 8,500rpm
Torque: 720Nm @ 6,750rpm
Fuel economy: 19.6L / 100km
The biog
DOB: 25/12/92
Marital status: Single
Education: Post-graduate diploma in UAE Diplomacy and External Affairs at the Emirates Diplomatic Academy in Abu Dhabi
Hobbies: I love fencing, I used to fence at the MK Fencing Academy but I want to start again. I also love reading and writing
Lifelong goal: My dream is to be a state minister
Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Engine: Four electric motors, one at each wheel
Power: 579hp
Torque: 859Nm
Transmission: Single-speed automatic
Price: From Dh825,900
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The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm
Transmission: 9-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km
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Director:Michael Lehmann
Stars:Kristen Bell
Rating: 1/5
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Date started: January, 2014
Founders: Mike Dawson, Varuna Singh, and Benita Rowe
Based: Dubai
Sector: Education technology
Size: Five employees
Investment: $100,000 from the ExpoLive Innovation Grant programme in 2018 and an initial $30,000 pre-seed investment from the Turn8 Accelerator in 2014. Most of the projects are government funded.
Partners/incubators: Turn8 Accelerator; In5 Innovation Centre; Expo Live Innovation Impact Grant Programme; Dubai Future Accelerators; FHI 360; VSO and Consult and Coach for a Cause (C3)
Specs
Engine: 51.5kW electric motor
Range: 400km
Power: 134bhp
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1. Kylian Mbappe - to Real Madrid in 2017/18 - €180 million (Dh770.4m - if a deal goes through)
2. Paul Pogba - to Manchester United in 2016/17 - €105m
3. Gareth Bale - to Real Madrid in 2013/14 - €101m
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - to Real Madrid in 2009/10 - €94m
5. Gonzalo Higuain - to Juventus in 2016/17 - €90m
6. Neymar - to Barcelona in 2013/14 - €88.2m
7. Romelu Lukaku - to Manchester United in 2017/18 - €84.7m
8. Luis Suarez - to Barcelona in 2014/15 - €81.72m
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May 15: Yokohama, Japan
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8 UAE companies helping families reduce their carbon footprint
Greenheart Organic Farms
This Dubai company was one of the country’s first organic farms, set up in 2012, and it now delivers a wide array of fruits and vegetables grown regionally or in the UAE, as well as other grocery items, to both Dubai and Abu Dhabi doorsteps.
www.greenheartuae.com
Modibodi
Founded in Australia, Modibodi is now in the UAE with waste-free, reusable underwear that eliminates the litter created by a woman’s monthly cycle, which adds up to approximately 136kgs of sanitary waste over a lifetime.
www.modibodi.ae
The Good Karma Co
From brushes made of plant fibres to eco-friendly storage solutions, this company has planet-friendly alternatives to almost everything we need, including tin foil and toothbrushes.
www.instagram.com/thegoodkarmaco
Re:told
One Dubai boutique, Re:told, is taking second-hand garments and selling them on at a fraction of the price, helping to cut back on the hundreds of thousands of tonnes of clothes thrown into landfills each year.
www.shopretold.com
Lush
Lush provides products such as shampoo and conditioner as package-free bars with reusable tins to store.
www.mena.lush.com
Bubble Bro
Offering filtered, still and sparkling water on tap, Bubble Bro is attempting to ensure we don’t produce plastic or glass waste. Founded in 2017 by Adel Abu-Aysha, the company is on track to exceeding its target of saving one million bottles by the end of the year.
www.bubble-bro.com
Coethical
This company offers refillable, eco-friendly home cleaning and hygiene products that are all biodegradable, free of chemicals and certifiably not tested on animals.
www.instagram.com/coethical
Eggs & Soldiers
This bricks-and-mortar shop and e-store, founded by a Dubai mum-of-four, is the place to go for all manner of family products – from reusable cloth diapers to organic skincare and sustainable toys.
www.eggsnsoldiers.com
