Accept in advance our apology for twisting and torturing a famous phrase written by a guy who would have cheered for the European Ryder Cup team, had he lived long enough.
It was the best of timing, it was the worst of timing.
Billy Horschel is unquestionably the hottest player on the planet after completing a life-changing and lucrative run in the PGA Tour’s FedEx Cup series, but his stretch of stellar play could have been so much more.
Horschel picked the most financially opportune moment in history to morph into a world-beater, finishing second/first/first in the past three FedEx events, culminating with last weekend’s win at the US season finale in Atlanta.
Because he won both the tournament and the bonus for topping the seasonal points list, he pocketed US$11.44 million (Dh42m) on Sunday, the richest single-day haul in golf.
Yet, when the Ryder Cup starts next week in Scotland, Horschel will be home in Florida, tending to his wife and infant daughter, who was born late Tuesday night.
It was the third in a series of events that left Ryder Cup fans on both sides of the Atlantic alternately scratching their heads, either in frustration or relief.
When Horschel bungled the 72nd hole at the FedEx event in Boston three weeks ago to finish second, it created barely a ripple.
The US Ryder Cup team was selected 48 hours later and conservative captain Tom Watson picked Ryder veterans Hunter Mahan, Keegan Bradley and Webb Simpson to round out the 12-man roster. Then Horschel won in Denver and Atlanta.
For jarring context, consider that the only other American to win in consecutive weeks on the PGA Tour during the past six seasons is Tiger Woods.
Horschel was 38 under par in that three-week stretch, while Watson’s wild-card picks were a combined 15 over for the underdogs from America.
The rush to judgement made no sense. The US team stopped taking slow boats to Europe when Ben Hogan was in the side.
Still, since Horschel’s first child was due during the week of the Ryder, the hand-wringing was minimal, since he likely could not have played. Then his daughter arrived, roughly 10 days early. Truly, life is all about timing.
The unlikely scenario prompted jokes about annexing Scotland as a US territory if it votes to leave the United Kingdom today. That way, the Americans could add Stephen Gallacher to the side, which would be a fitting development.
After all, the same weekend that Horschel finished as runner-up in Boston, Gallacher finished second in a European Tour event. Two days later, he was picked for the European side.
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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
'Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore'
Rating: 3/5
Directed by: David Yates
Starring: Mads Mikkelson, Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Jude Law
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