DUBAI // Britain's Graeme McDowell all but gave up on his bid to win the European money-list on Saturday and quickly honed in on a new target -- reaching the top of the world rankings.
"Two or three years ago the number one seemed untouchable (for me)," the world number nine told reporters after a three-under-par 69 in the third round gave him a two-under aggregate of 214 at the Dubai World Championship.
"I believe if I work hard in the next few years I could be the best player in the world. That's become an achievable goal for me and something I am going to work hard towards."
McDowell, second in the European money-list and needing to overturn a deficit of 290,000 euros ($384,600) on Martin Kaymer in the season finale, has been left in the slipstream of the German who is contending right at the top of the leaderboard.
Up for grabs for Kaymer and McDowell, the only two players who can top the money-list, is a $1.26 million cheque for winning the tournament plus a $1.5 million bonus for finishing the season as Europe's number one.
"Barring the impossible I think Europe's number one is probably not a reality for me any more," said the Northern Irishman.
"I can certainly draw a line under it tomorrow in the last round and just put a nice end to what's been a fantastic year for me -- it's been amazing, the greatest season of my career.
"I tried my heart out the last couple of days but it didn't happen. Sometimes you have to hold your hands up and wave the white flag."
McDowell, winner of this year's US Open, Wales Open and Andalucia Masters and the man who gained the winning point for Europe at last month's Ryder Cup, just wanted the Greg Norman-designed Earth course here in Dubai to show him a little more love and affection.
"This course is not my cup of tea but you can't choose these courses," said the 31-year-old. "It is a course that also frustrated me last year and it's continued to frustrate me.
"The big issue is I haven't been able to hole any putts and without getting the putter working it is very difficult to get on top of the course.
"It has not shown me much love this week. That's life. Nothing to be ashamed of."
McDowell finally realised the money-list title was not coming his way early in the third round.
"I hit it nicely the first few holes but I three-putted the fourth, hit it to about eight feet at the next and missed and hit it to six feet at the next and missed.
"I was just waiting for a taxi to turn up and take me home at that point," said McDowell, laughing.
WRESTLING HIGHLIGHTS
TOUR RESULTS AND FIXTURES
June 3: NZ Provincial Barbarians 7 Lions 13
June 7: Blues 22 Lions 16
June 10: Crusaders 3 Lions 12
June 13: Highlanders 23 Lions 22
June 17: Maori All Blacks 10 Lions 32
June 20: Chiefs 6 Lions 34
June 24: New Zealand 30 Lions 15
June 27: Hurricanes 31 Lions 31
July 1: New Zealand 21 Lions 24
July 8: New Zealand v Lions
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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
Engine: 3-litre twin-turbo V6
Power: 400hp
Torque: 475Nm
Transmission: 9-speed automatic
Price: From Dh215,900
On sale: Now
Dubai Bling season three
Cast: Loujain Adada, Zeina Khoury, Farhana Bodi, Ebraheem Al Samadi, Mona Kattan, and couples Safa & Fahad Siddiqui and DJ Bliss & Danya Mohammed
Rating: 1/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Almnssa
Started: August 2020
Founder: Areej Selmi
Based: Gaza
Sectors: Internet, e-commerce
Investments: Grants/private funding
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
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Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
FIXTURES
Fixtures for Round 15 (all times UAE)
Friday
Inter Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)
Saturday
Atalanta v Verona (6pm)
Udinese v Napoli (9pm)
Lazio v Juventus (11.45pm)
Sunday
Lecce v Genoa (3.30pm)
Sassuolo v Cagliari (6pm)
SPAL v Brescia (6pm)
Torino v Fiorentina (6pm)
Sampdoria v Parma (9pm)
Bologna v AC Milan (11.45pm)
MATCH INFO
Manchester United v Brighton, Sunday, 6pm UAE
The Sand Castle
Director: Matty Brown
Stars: Nadine Labaki, Ziad Bakri, Zain Al Rafeea, Riman Al Rafeea
Rating: 2.5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Other workplace saving schemes
- The UAE government announced a retirement savings plan for private and free zone sector employees in 2023.
- Dubai’s savings retirement scheme for foreign employees working in the emirate’s government and public sector came into effect in 2022.
- National Bonds unveiled a Golden Pension Scheme in 2022 to help private-sector foreign employees with their financial planning.
- In April 2021, Hayah Insurance unveiled a workplace savings plan to help UAE employees save for their retirement.
- Lunate, an Abu Dhabi-based investment manager, has launched a fund that will allow UAE private companies to offer employees investment returns on end-of-service benefits.
Paatal Lok season two
Directors: Avinash Arun, Prosit Roy
Stars: Jaideep Ahlawat, Ishwak Singh, Lc Sekhose, Merenla Imsong
Rating: 4.5/5
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Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Formula Middle East Calendar (Formula Regional and Formula 4)
Round 1: January 17-19, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 2: January 22-23, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 3: February 7-9, Dubai Autodrome – Dubai
Round 4: February 14-16, Yas Marina Circuit – Abu Dhabi
Round 5: February 25-27, Jeddah Corniche Circuit – Saudi Arabia