DUBAI // Not that she cares to admit it, but Shanshan Feng should cut a pretty intimidating figure at the top of the leaderboard at the Omega Dubai Ladies Masters.
The Chinese star, the top-ranked player in this week’s field at No 5, has already triumphed at the tournament, when she strolled to five-stroke victory in 2012. Leading wire-to-wire, Feng’s 21-under-par total remains a tournament record.
Read more: Birdies give refreshed Charley Hull a lift at Dubai Ladies Masters
So Wednesday’s opening six-under 66, which secured a tie for first alongside Carin Koch, was a relatively ominous start to the week for Feng, who, given her track record, will most likely take some shifting from the summit. Not that she is prepared to play the schoolyard bully. “I’m not a person who has a really strong personality,” Feng said.
“I’m really easy going, have a lot of friends here – well, I guess maybe they like me – so it wouldn’t really surprise them or make them feel like, ‘Oh, I have to beat her’ or anything like that. It’s good competition.”
It most certainly is. Take a glance at those around Feng on the leaderboard and it is clear that, at present, the field is top-loaded with talent. Sharing first place with Feng is Koch, the 2015 Solheim Cup captain and a veritable veteran, although her last victory was almost a decade ago, on the LPGA Tour.
Chasing the European Order of Merit – this represents the tour’s final event of the season – Charley Hull and Gwladys Nocera are one back and three back, respectively. Lee-Anne Pace, Europe’s No 1 in 2010 and winner of two events in October, sits tied for third, while Pornanong Phatlum, the defending champion, is two shots off the top. Maybe keeping expectations well within reach is wise, then.
“This year, coming in, I set my goal as top three,” Feng said after a round with seven birdies and a bogey.
“I’m not really giving myself too much pressure. Just hopefully see you guys after every round here and I’ll be happy.”
Her game did not suggest as such, but Feng apparently came into the week a little under the weather. Cryptically, she promised to shed light on the issue only once the total scores have been collected and the prizes handed out on Saturday.
“I don’t want to find excuses for myself,” she said. “We’re professionals, so when we are working, we don’t talk about if we are sick or anything.”
Somewhat surprisingly, Koch’s game appears in rude health. The Swede has spent so much time recently tending to various commitments as Solheim Cup captain that she has had hardly any time to focus on her game. Hence, an opening 66 came as a bit of a shock.
“I haven’t played an event since September, so it was probably more just trying to find the fairway and the green and remember how to do it,” Koch said. “It was very unexpected for me.”
As a Dubai debutante, Cheyenne Woods did not know what to expect, either.
The American, who entered the tournament on the back of a successful stint at LPGA Qualifying School, enjoyed her first competitive run around the Majlis course, posting a two-under 70 in the slightly tougher afternoon conditions.
A bogey at the opening hole was not the start Woods envisaged, but she responded with three birdies to keep alive her hopes for the week. Having spent the day becoming more familiar with her surroundings, she is growing in confidence, too.
“I’ll probably feel a little more comfortable on the course,” Woods said. “Today was pretty steady. I hit the ball really well, although I could’ve made a lot more putts.
“That’s why it felt like a mediocre round, because I had a lot of opportunities that I didn’t take advantage of. But overall, it’s a good day. I’m in a good position and I feel good about the rest of the week.”
jmcauley@thenational.ae
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The bio
Studied up to grade 12 in Vatanappally, a village in India’s southern Thrissur district
Was a middle distance state athletics champion in school
Enjoys driving to Fujairah and Ras Al Khaimah with family
His dream is to continue working as a social worker and help people
Has seven diaries in which he has jotted down notes about his work and money he earned
Keeps the diaries in his car to remember his journey in the Emirates
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GOLF’S RAHMBO
- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
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- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)
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Based: Bangalore, India
Sector: Health & wellness
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Investment: $250 million
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Power: 220 and 280 horsepower
Torque: 350 and 360Nm
Transmission: eight-speed automatic
Price: from Dh136,521 VAT and Dh166,464 VAT
On sale: now
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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MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-finals, second leg:
Liverpool (0) v Barcelona (3), Tuesday, 11pm UAE
Game is on BeIN Sports
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Fixtures
Opening day Premier League fixtures for August 9-11
August 9
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August 10
West Ham v Man City 3.30pm
Bournemouth v Sheffield Utd 6pm
Burnley v Southampton 6pm
C Palace v Everton 6pm
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August 11
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Saturday
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Sunday
5.30pm: Kalba v Al Jazira
5.30pm: Fujairah v Al Dhafra
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
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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
The specs: 2018 Chevrolet Equinox
Price, base / as tested: Dh76,900 / Dh110,900
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Gearbox: Nine-speed automatic
Power: 252hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: Torque: 352Nm @ 2,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.5L / 100km
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
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